Under the weather

Hello folks!

It has been a long time since I’ve last written here, and I intend to start writing again to keep a journal of the ups and downs of my life. It was very enjoyable this morning to be going through the past posts: picturing myself writing those posts, along with imagining just what kind of emotions and thoughts were running through my head as I put the (metaphorical) pen to the paper.

It didn’t seem long ago when I was busy wrestling with my overflowing emotions and sensations as I received Semester 1′s results. It wasn’t long after that I begun registering for my modules in Semester 2. Time flies, and the Final Examinations have already begun and completed. It was a hectic but enjoyable Semester, filled with exceptionally trying times but counter-balanced by powerful emotional memories of bonds forged and intense experiences. I know this sounds cryptic, but it was really a period of time where life seemed like a rollercoaster; you simply just don’t know when the next huge drop is coming.

A nasty flu bug compels my body to seek the sanctuary of my bed once more, and I bid all of you an abrupt farewell. 28 May will come sooner rather than later, and I hope all will be good.

In the middle of it All

The feeling after completion of Exams

 

Examinations. What other topic is as such a common ground for students from all stratas within the University? Definitely, the fear of failure (either in terms of getting less than 50% or failing to meet one’s expectations) drives students to zealous displays of discipline and motivation in the preceding weeks before the Examinations.

I am no different in this sense, having spent nearly an entire month slogging away at the Central Library (a very wonderful place of which I recommend everyone to go to). I am rather tired at this point, with HY1101E and MKT1003X ahead of me, I can afford no reprise in my efforts for academic excellence.

Sitting in the level 6 of the Central Library while typing this post, I contemplate the sheer amount of joy I will feel after the exams. However, will it be the same as the ‘ORD Effect’; in which one’s anticipation of something overrides and dominates the actual enjoyment of the reality?

Let’s see in approximately 5 days.

Surely you can’t be serious

“Get. Off. My. Lawn.”

Mr Kruek was not kidding when he said this. With every single word uttered, he took another step towards me.

That was when I noticed he had a shotgun cradled in his left arm.

“I will,” paused Mr Kruek before he loaded one shell into that menacing black shotgun of his, “destroy you with every single last breath of life I’ve left inside me.”

I turned around and ran as fast as I could, stopping only after 20 minutes of non-stop running. Collapsing into an untidy heap on the ground, I struggled to see if he did give chase or not. Gaining a little more clarity in my head after a prolonged session of gasping for air, I realized that old Kruek could not have chased me this far. Certainly not with that fat beer belly of his.

How could anyone react so angrily to something so small?

Midterms Ahoy, Cap’n!

 

Spent today largely in “motion” – travelling up and down the Central Corridor of Singapore (Upp. Thomson Road) due to careless scheduling of Marketing Subject Pools (read: useless wastes of time mandated by the school administration for reasons unknown hitherto) is NO FUN at all

Idling about has been an ever pervasive and elusive enemy in times like these. With midterms looming ahead, constant demands by your mind or body to “take a short break” translate into “let’s take the day off” by the insidious influences of Captain Procrastination. While yours truly has been desperately trying to subdue the aforementioned mortal enemy, it is unabashedly admitted that there were instances of which personal satisfaction took precedence over the achievement of academic goals.

The picture above summarizes all that has been said thus far.

On a sidenote, training yesterday was a largely positive one. The cohesion and bond felt by all during the First Aid lessons gave much reason to enjoy the Monday night after a long day consisting of the twin evils of Economics Tutorial and Marketing Tutorial (of which there was a group presentation, to add salt to the wound).

Time to hit the books once again, dear readers. Thank you for tuning into StressTV.

Life @ NUS

This is the Recess Week. It has been a long and fruitful time in the University, with 7 weeks having already passed by. It was quite refreshing; to be once again on top of my studies and being disciplined enough to follow through with my academic goals.

A start to a long-held dream of mine has finally materialized, and I am really happy for that. Though, I wonder how I would manage my time more effectively to achieve all my goals.

Summary of Studying Progress (with relation to midterms/current status):

• MKT1003 – 25%
• GEK2022 – 60%
• EC1101E – 80%
• SN1101E – 50%
• HY1101E – 100%

With the week ahead to go, I have a feeling that this is also a time to catch up on simple freedoms and joys I have foregone in my academic pursuits (such as jamming, which I haven’t done in almost a month).  Time to enjoy myself too!

Let Down

Sure, I know what you will say; you have a great family, a comfortable house, really, everything you ever wanted!

How could you ever claim to be unhappy? Gosh, the sheer travesty of that notion, considering the immense good fortune that has come your way. Like that hor, then the Uncle selling newspapers at the market how? He looks very happy leh, everyday peddling the same few newspapers and magazines from his tiny kiosk.

Yet, his tiny kiosk is like a sanctuary; a lighthouse in troubled seas. Whenever I pick up my daily copy of The Straits Times, his cheerful smile and pleasant disposition never fails to calm my senses and remind me of the good and simple things in life.

Aiyoh boy ah, study hard then next time can become doctor or lawyer and earn lots of money so you can drive a big car and live in a comfortable house. After you do your homework remember to go practice on your violin okay? Make mummy proud; must be better than Ah Soh’s son next door!

There is Good because there is Evil. There are no absolute truths in this world. We can only describe things in relativity to others. For example, Light is the absence of Darkness and vice versa. Therefore, there is Life because there is Death?

Come Ah Gong tell you, last time the family was very poor. Ah Gong’s father had to work every single day to make enough money to feed all of us. We had nothing much to eat except for porridge and potatoes everyday. Life was tough! But we all made it. Now you see ah, Singapore got all the skyscrapers and the all the air-con bus and train everything; so different from last time! Last time must walk or ride the bicycle so far. Your generation is a very lucky one.

Luck. Is it quantifiable or is it viewed through the myopic lenses of self-centred people always eager to compare?

Slowly but surely, the growing realizations of depressing truths such as this is going to kill me one day.

Dreams and Desires

“Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” – Epicurus

The sound of a butterfly fluttering its wings.  The sun shining majestically from its throne in the skies. Clouds hanging overhead like beautiful paintings. She stands there, looking over with a smile. She reaches out with a graceful motion like a swan dipping its beak into the water. The tresses of her hair falls over effortlessly as though the handiwork of the angels of Heaven. It frames her long and slender jawline like a window into the world.

Darkness.

James lay in bed. The silence is deafening, punctuated only by his panting. The darkness of the room suffocating. Beads of perspiration trickled down his forehead.

After what seemed like an eternity, he galvanized all the energy he could muster into getting up. He gingerly made his way into the bathroom. The clack of the light switch reverbrated across the room like cymbals clashing together. He washed his face and stared at the reflection facing him in the mirror.

Who are you?