Friday, May 18, 2007
my valedictorian speech
times flies, even when you're doing nothing. the week's end is here, the 'rents come in tomorrow, and i finally walk the lawn on sunday. i think spending the past week soaking up charlottesville has helped me get over that bout of depression i was experiencing about the whole graduation thing. no doubt, im still reluctant to have to enter the real world, but at least i'm more prepared to leave charlottesville than i was before.
the week's been mostly just lazing about, walking around charlottesville. eating at a different restaurant every meal. had some really good sandwiches. watching alias (season 5 is kinda crappy). sitting in the sun. rented a car on wednesday and visited skyline drive and luray caverns. running errands. nothing really in particular, which has been kinda nice.
can't believe my undergraduate life is over. jc didn't seem too far away, but i think i've certainly grown older, although not necessarily more mature. the US has given me an experience of a lifetime, taught me to look at the world through new eyes - to accept and understand different views of the world, to recognize different cultural interpretations and perspectives. i've become a tad bit wilder, in a sense that i'm no longer content with a cushy, normal, run-of-the-mill life. and i kinda like it that way. although i'm afraid that after going back home and getting caught in the routine of work and home, i might forget about it. i hope not.
and also, i guess the past three years have really been a period of self-awareness and i've come to learn alot about myself. i don't know if i've become more carless and klutzy, but it certainly has become more apparent, and its consequences more dire. and while i used to laugh at myself about it (a good thing for one to be able to laugh at oneself, right?), at some point it was no longer funny but rather, frustrating. i think i also lack this 'capacity to execute', to follow through on what i set out to do. i hope to change those. i used to think that my indecisiveness was my biggest problem, but i think that has gotten better.
perhaps, a reflection upon graduation requires some grandoise statement about life (as though im giving the valedictorian speech huh). i don't know. maybe mine would be that life has too much to offer to sit around comfortably, or to look at it through blinkers. have your own perspective, but don't judge others for having theirs. dare to experience life, dare to have your comfortable world turned upside down. but have convictions, have principles, have a fierce passion for something in life. thank goodness im not valedictorian, that would have been a weak speech. but that honestly sums up what i've learnt these past two/three years.
wow. after this commercial break, it's time for the real world.
Labels: a-musing, daily scoops
9:38 AM
Saturday, May 12, 2007
not ready for the world
i think i really should just hide in my room and not mess with the world because.. well, i'd just create a big mess.
gm and clara stayed back to hang out with me until graduation. we were supposed to go on a roadtrip but decided to hang out in cville in the end cos firstly, we wanted to save money and secondly, im not going to be in cville anymore so i might as well savor it while im here.
anyhows, the two are crashing at the irc since we stayed back in the ville, but illegally since they arent approved for late stay. and all cards were deactivated today, except for those who were approved for late stay. but i lost my id, and ive been using ruyi's since she left, and she didn't get late stay. so basically between the three of us, none of us has a card that can get us into the building.
i feel terrible, and terribly useless. i wonder how im going to survive europe on my own at this rate. but more than that, i wonder how im going to take on real responsibilites.
Labels: a-musing, daily scoops
10:51 PM
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
emptying out
i thought i'd be idle this week, but time seems to pass so fast and still i don't get everything i need to do done. i'm putting off packing because it's a depressing reminder of the fact that im going to be leaving this place for good. i've been writing cards and meeting up with people to say good bye and it just makes me want to cry. other than that, been eating alot and trying to figure out travel plans. the wednesday dinner kakis went to zo ca lo for our last group dinner yesterday (had to be on a wed cos ppl have exams on thur). the food was good, the people were fun, and i was just sad cos it won't be the same again. we're leaving on a road trip on saturday and we still have no idea where we are going. haha. that's what being young is about - spontaneity!
my laptop fan is broken and i spilt iced tea on my phone and my credit card got eaten into the atm so the line got cut off anyway so im basically uncontactable to the world. been spending alot of time in the comp lab so it seems like im working really hard. haha.
i really don't want to have to leave this life. =(
Labels: daily scoops
1:25 PM
Thursday, April 19, 2007
something special
we are going to make this happen.
look out for it. ;)
Labels: daily scoops
12:26 PM
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
cultural differences
it's really interesting when you see a cultural difference play out infront of you.
we had two comm468 alumni come speak to us in class the other day, and as a gesture of appreciation for the advice our professor had given them throughout their venture, they presented her with a gift at the end of their lecture. firstly, they handed it to her with one hand; secondly, she opened the gift in front of the class; and thirdly, it was a clock (no doubt a tiffany's one though).
*
the shooter turns out to be a south korean. and his dad and mum both tried to kill themselves upon hearing the news - dad died, while mum is in the hospital.
this is triple tragedy.
Labels: a-musing, daily scoops
6:30 PM
Monday, April 16, 2007
updates
i didn't realise the extent of the shooting. 32 people dead. lined up against a wall and fired at. massacre. because the guy was looking for his ex girlfriend and her new boyfriend.
(more here: http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=589132007)
this is incomprehensible. this is the sort of thing you watch in movies, read in the papers, and think its some crazy American thing that goes on half way across the world. but it is so much more reality when you know people from there, and where it occurred is not 2 hours away from you. i still don't fully understand the impact and gravity of the situation, i will admit. and maybe it is a blessing that i don't and hopefully never will.
Labels: daily scoops
9:59 PM
newsflash
Deadly shooting at US university At least 22 people have been killed and 21 more injured after a gunman went on the rampage at the campus of Virginia Tech university in Virginia, US.
Police say there were two separate shooting incidents - at West Ambler Johnston Hall, a student dormitory, and Norris Hall, an engineering building.
The incidents were about two hours apart. Police say they believe there was one gunman and that he is dead.
It is the deadliest shooting at a US educational facility.
OMG.
Labels: daily scoops
2:27 PM
Sunday, April 08, 2007
He is risen
many many years ago (gosh i am so old), Easter was the secret egg basket with blue and purple ribbons outside the classroom.
i knew what Easter was, but i never fully understood the significance of it.
Easter service today was beautiful. the hall was adorned with banners and bouquets of spring flowers. extra chairs were lined up in the spillover. there was an orchestra, not just a band - 5 violins, a french horn, an oboe, a guitar, drums and the works - and a full choir. everyone was dressed in their sunday best. little boys in vests and suits and little girls in smocked frocks and ribbons in their hair.
the worship and the scripture reading made me realise two things, that God is good and He is indeed worthy of our praise; and that because Jesus rose after the third day, the gospel is the truth and the truth has spread to the entire world.
indeed, it's a cause to rejoice and celebrate =)
Labels: daily scoops
8:47 PM
Saturday, April 07, 2007
green notes and blue notes
i needed some cheering up yesterday (read: did really badly on the GRE), so i did a little shopping.
bought myself a bag
and a pair of sleeping shorts cos ive been wearing my tatty lime green ones all the time for the past month or so. with my lime green rj openhouse tee too. =(
went to wholefoods. bought strawberries and chocolate coated candied ginger. salmon salad and mushroom and jack cheese quesadilla. the guy behind the counter was trying to flirt with me so he gave me an extra quesadilla. mwhahaha. and lots of free samples. he even offered me a ride to wholefoods whenever i wanted, in exchange for my email add, which of course i didnt give. mwahahhaah. and bought a box of truffles for prof brown who lent me his car. they had some really cool flavours - caramel and lavendar, raspberry with pink peppercorn, pistachio and marzipan.
but what i really need was one thing. and no, i didn't get it.
Labels: daily scoops
12:14 PM
Sunday, April 01, 2007
1147
i did it! 10 miles. =)
my timing wasn't fantastic, but im just proud of myself that i finished it without walking and under my target time.
the entire charlottesville was out to cheer us on. people came out from their homes and baked cookies and donuts for the runners (although who would eat such things while running?!), laid out paper cups of water. made banners to say 'no whining at wine (street)'. a li'l boy drummer took his set of drums out of his house and jammed as the runners passed by. ladies in pink feather boas and coats stood along the route to cheer. my favourite, was the student worship group who sang gospels - made me feel like God was cheering me on too.
my number tag is now proudly displayed on my door, next to my roommate's 2030 tag.
Labels: daily scoops, weekends
10:07 AM
Thursday, March 01, 2007
in spirit and in truth
i havent been reading the bible religiously (pardon the pun), but core group on wednesdays serves as such a strong reminder that God is faithful and that He is in charge. it's the one time of during the week that i feel at peace and carefree.
God said to Moses, "I AM who I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'"Exodus 3:14
For the spirit is breath, and breath, the spirit. With each breath we take, we say God's name. He is with us, and in us.
Labels: daily scoops, random
12:03 AM
Thursday, February 15, 2007
juxtaposition
my sister's boyfriend officially proposed to her. they are going to get married! and then they'll soon have kids and i will be an aunt. *gasp*
i played a game of texas holdem and won 3bucks in half an hour (we each started off with $2.50, so thats a 20% return in 30min wowee). haha. *correction: it should be 120%. this is why im not concentrating in finance.
BUT
i lost my passport, and i need it for my GRE tomorrow.
i think i really outdid myself this time. = ( <-- it's supposed to be a long sulky face.
Labels: daily scoops
9:14 PM
cupidity
i dont really have anything to say about valentine's day, but i thought 'cupidity' was funny/interesting so i thought i'd post anyway.
chocolates and candy from cheryl and core group molly and steph. dinner with the IRC at the rotunda. somehow with less excitement than last year. the food didn't seem that great either. arts and crafts and little mermaid. a surprise for mun and red velvet cake. not first without - skyslush, being ten min late to a class in which the prof already hates me, awkward people relations and confrontations, bad quiz, and a long school day.
a kiss for cherie for being too-too special! happy birthday!
Labels: daily scoops
1:04 AM
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
just because im procrastinating
the week usually rolls by with not much ado. eat. sleep. work. exercise. in varying amounts. on the rare occasion its more work, or more exercise; but mostly, more sleep and more eating. i wish this week was one of those work & exercise weeks -- lots of assignments due before thanksgiving break next week, plus i will be hanging out on the beach in bahamas so exercise would come in real good. but no. this was one of those sleep and eat weeks. funny how they usually come together. (but like zhi says,
fat people go to the bahamas too what.)
yesterday, i had a l'oreal case competition presentation. we sucked so bad. i was not nervous mentally, but my body couldn't stop trembling. i had no idea why. seriously, i was like telling myself, STOP IT, but i wouldn't listen to me. anyhow, it was just bad, plain embarrassing, and such a waste of time.
i came back and wanted to eat my ben & jerry's (it was on sale - 2 for $6). and guess what (no prizes for guessing correctly) - it was stolen. bloody hell. i wrote a nasty note on the whiteboard in the kitchen, complained to jenn (who's my rc), clara and just about anyone who would listen to me. not that my boys will appear back in the freezer.
screw you whoever took them from me. GRRRR. i guess maybe its a good thing, helps with the whole bahamas bikini business.
i shall end off with a song:
Aruba Jamaica ooh I wanna take ya
Bermuda Bahama come on pretty mama
Key Largo Montego baby why don't we go
ooh I wanna you down to Cocomo
we'll get there fast and then we'll take it slow
that's where we wanna go way down in Cocomo- cocomo, the beach boys
peace out homey.
Labels: a-musing, daily scoops
9:47 AM
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
the boy who cried wolf
the fire trucks came
again. at 4:30 in the morning. NOT fun at all. *grrrr* and for no real apparent reason too. *double grrrr*
Labels: daily scoops
8:49 AM
Friday, November 03, 2006
the boy who cried: chicken or pig!
the fire trucks came. its quite common, really. everyday you hear the trucks (or the ambulance) run up and down the streets of charlottesville at least twice. but this time, they ran to munford. and we (or i) had to stand in the cold in shorts and slippers while the macho firemen valiantly walked into the not-burning building and put a fan in to the kitchen to dispere the smoke. all that training was put into good use.
and when the all-clear signal was given, i scrambled in to my room to grab my camera to kpoh some photos in true photojournalist style (trying to be,
lah).
i took some photos with my slr too. i finished up the roll and wanted to rewind the film but nothing seemed to be happening. so i
cleverly opened my camera and
happily exposed my film. gone. my macho fireman pictures. my cute halloween kids. gone. =(
**
i emailed home telling my family about my birthday plans. i said something alone the lines of having a kiddy party.. but i probably used the word 'children' instead of 'kid' (i dont remember). so my uncle replies:
i think the children's party is a good idea. where are you going to get the children from? **
and the million dollar question is: are you a chicken or pig?
ham and eggs
pig and chicken
the pig is committed, the chicken is involved
which are you?
Labels: daily scoops
12:12 AM
Sunday, October 15, 2006
can you keep a secret?
one cool thing about charlottesville, and uva, is that we have secret societies here. they go by names such as the seventh society, AMP and the pumpkin society. the pumpkin society goes around during halloween all dressed up, giving out pumpkins to people who have contributed significantly to the university. some society also supports the entertainment aspect of uva, and i think donates money to the greek clubs here.
so i went to speak to my anthro prof about my next essay. and he invites me to a dinner organized by the seventh society. *eeeps!* i dont know and i dont think he's a member, and i dont know if members of the seventh society will be there at the dinner (since it's all annonymous and secret, nobody knows who they are). but how cool would it be if i got recruited to join the secret society?? haha.
so im saying this now, in case i really do become part of it, because i'd have to be sworn to secrecy and i wont be able to share it with anyone. dam, i cant put it on my resume either. hahaahha
ps: according to my prof, the seventh society might have affiliations/associations/some sort of relation with the ku klux klan. not too far a stretch, what with the very white-ist (?) orientation of this area.
Labels: daily scoops
4:09 PM
Thursday, September 28, 2006
its not funny
i am absolutely fuming MAD! ARGH! theives should just GO AND DIE.. like seriously.
i had almost $40 worth of groceries this week. it's like waaay more than what i usually buy, cos i had good stuff this time - smoked salmon, boursin cheese, salad vegetables, a cucumber, grapes, soy milk. and now.. its. all. gone. and guess what, i just bought it on tuesday night! i havent eaten any of that stuff! thankfully, i left my yoghurt and blueberries in hwajung's fridge so i still have that left to eat. but STILL, WHY WOULD ANYONE DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT?!?!!?!?!?!? argh, i need to vent.
and i was supposed to start saving money. been pretty extravagant this semester, i dont know why. BAH. absolutely PISSED OFF. food donations please?
Labels: daily scoops
10:04 AM
hot cakes
jeanette! my roomie.. i love her hair
beef pastrami with arugula and gorgonzola cream
its not white chocolate, its its-too-pretty-to-be-eaten butter!
salad sampler: penne with roasted vegetables, tomatoes and artichokes, broccoli and cauliflower cream
Labels: daily scoops
12:24 AM
