First week of Y3S2!

It's been a tiring, dreadful, hectic, confusing, busy, messed up, chaotic, helter skelter week. Really, I think I could go on with the adjectives, but I think I've made my point painfully clear. The first week (at least by my calendar) of university is over, and it's safe to say that I am not looking forward to this coming Monday. You would think 5 subjects would be a breeze. A walk in the park. A swim in the pool. A waddle in the pond. Think again, my dear blog readers. It's worse than ever. Well, at least the workload is. I'll admit that there are a few mornings where I get to sleep an extra 1 or 2 hours, but really, what's all that in the face of "so-confusing-my-brains-nearly-leaked-out-of-my-head" lectures and "you-call-this-homework-I-call-it-a-freakin'-thesis" kinda assignments.

Lemme just try to run through some of the things that happened this week. I say try, because the very act of trying to relive those moments might make my innards - fragile as they are - explode at any moment.

The first class of the new semester for me was rather amusing. The most defining moment du jour was when the lecturer whipped out a stack of PMR English 2005 examination papers for us to do. I'm sure it'll have some connection to the course, somehow.

Then it was discovering, during lunch break, that driving to the so-called 'nearby' food court at Samarahan would now be an additional 20-minute drive each day because the authorities decided to block off the shortcut back to the old campus which would effectively force each and every one of us to drive like 2 miles out of the way just to make the turn at the roundabout to get back to campus. Did you get that last sentence? I'm getting confused just trying to read it, so don't pressure yourself to understand it. Just move on to the next sentence.

Then it was realising that the university had put up speed bumps (do you 'put up' or 'put down' speed bumps?) all over the university. Like, if you were to take a measuring tape, you'd probably find that the distance between one bump to the next is like, oh about 7 metres or so. This most efficiently strikes out the option of speeding your way to a class that you're already late for. I've started recommending helmets for my passengers.

Then it was realising in another class that one of the assignments entailed us writing a what-what research proposal what-what practise for next year's thesis what-what final year project. All the what-whats are there for a reason: to represent my blur-ness and confusion. Really I'm not quite sure what the assignment means. I guess I'll just roll with the times. You know. Go with the moment. Drift. Or something.

Then it was rushing on a Friday morning at 12 in the afternoon to complete a presentation that we're supposed to present this coming Monday. We finished preparing for the assignment at about 2 pm. And rushed to class. In the rain.

And then it's coming home for the weekend, ecstatic at the thought of a breather from the hustle and bustle, only to realise (with that sick feeling in your stomach) the impending doom that is the coming week. Another week of lectures. Another week of hard, mind-boggling work. Another week of madness.

Yippee. I don't think I can contain all this excitement. I better stop before I puke my guts out.

First day of Y3S2!

I can almost imagine the expressions of confusion on your faces as you guys read the blogpost title for today: "What's Y3S2? Has Esther gone nuts... AGAIN?" And here's my reply to you: Muahahahaha! No, I have not gone nuts. A little nutty perhaps, but certainly not nuts. You know how when you go about downloading episodes from the Internet, and how they always number their videos like that? Like, S02E12 would refer to season 2, episode 12 of a certain TV series. That's where I got the inspiration. Y3S2 refers to my third year second semester in uni. Instead of saying that mouthful, I'll just stick to simple ole Y3S2 from here on out.

So how was the first day of Y3S2? Let's just say headaches are no fun. Have a splitting one right now, probably from the usual lack of sleep attributed to trying to re-adjust to a new schedule and all. Let me just run through what I did in uni today. The first class this morning was... Gee, I don't even know the name of the course. But already we had to copy down lecture notes and all. We even got the outline and questions for this term's assignments. Then at about 9.45 am I had my breakfast cum lunch of nasi lemak and fresh lychee drink at Siang Siang. Then it was back to uni for our second class of the day (something to do with Malaysian literature in English or something, can't quite recall the exact name of the course) and there we were, discussing our workload and reading materials. There was a whole lot of debate over how much work was too much for this sem, and I remember at one point some guys brought up the issue of whether we should study Bawang Merah Bawang Putih! Funny. I always thought that was a fairytale. Then we were released from class at 11 am (earlier, since it was the first class and all), and I went to Siang Siang again because my so-called uni-'gang' hadn't had lunch yet. Then it was back to uni again, for the third class of the day (would you be surprised to know I don't even know the actual name of the course?) and then it was all over at a little past 4 pm, and I drove home, feeling really really tired. I reached home at about 4.40 pm. It's almost 9 pm now, and I'm literally aching from exhaustion. I can't believe this cycle is going to repeat tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and the next day, for the next 14 weeks of life.

Help!

Oh no!

Going back to university tomorrow. Not happy about it at all. Although I am kinda looking forward to meeting my friends again, but sigh, the start of the semester means the end of the holidays. The holidays weren't long enough for me. I had too much to do, and too little time to do them all in. I've already mentioned in the previous blogpost that I'm not looking forward to the workload (re: assignments and exams). It's the final semester of my third year, and the effort that has to be put in is increasing exponentially each sem. They're really putting (more like pushing) our noses to the grindstone now. It's work work work from every lecturer. But I guess that has to be expected. After this sem they release us (like wild animals indeed) into the schools for our teaching practice, and it's safe to say that we're still not prepared to face the kids. Kids can be vicious. Especially to teacher trainees. Trust me, I know. I was one of those kids. Not to say that I was mean or nasty or anything. I just didn't... take very well to newbies. Especially if they faltered or seemed 'blur'. So yeah, I know full well what to expect from the kids. I'm taking 5 subjects this semester, each 3 credits to make up the total 15 credits of this semester. I know it doesn't sound like much (as compared to my 1st sem) but really, the subjects are getting tougher, not to mention the assignments that come with it. And I've refused to take a room in college this semester, so there's really no place I can rest if I wanna. Well, there's always the library and my friends' rooms, but really sometimes all you wanna do is lie down and sleep your worries away and you can't really do that in the library or someone else's room. On the more positive side though, my schedule isn't as bad (I meant to say packed) as last semester's. Last semester saw me waking up as early as 6 something in the mornings and only coming back in the late evenings, sometimes even as late as 7. It was a wonder I could find any time at all to even complete my assignments and study and all. This sem, I'm glad to say, is not as hectic as the last. Mondays and Fridays are the only days I have to wake up real early. Classes begin a little later on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, so at least I have the pleasure of waking up late(r) on those days. Which means I get to sleep a little later the nights before. Which means I can watch and download more Bleach videos! YIPPEE! I wonder why all my conversations and thoughts these days have a tendency to veer off-course towards Bleach? Heehee. And I suppose that's it for today. I've got a really long day tomorrow, and I'll only be back home at about 6 in the evening.

(Not so cheery) Cheers!

Sigh...

It's a beautiful night tonight. In fact, it's been a terrific day. Slight drizzle here and there, weather's really cold, and I've got my air-conditioner down to a chilly 16 degrees. I love it when it's freezing cold. It makes me feel cosy, and calm, and happy. Very happy.

Anyway, these past 2 days have been interesting. I spent most of my time sleeping, and the other hours that I'm awake, I'm online, searching out Bleach episodes on Youtube. I'm going on a Bleach-hunt upon my return to uni this Monday. Gonna sniff and hunt around for any friend (or friend of friend) who has those episodes and download it. Muahahahaha! I think I'm really addicted.

I'm dreading the return to uni, by the way. It's the workload that I dread, the early mornings that I have to drag myself out of the comforts of home and drive all the way up. Being caged into a class anywhere between 2 hours to 6 hours. Boredom. The chaos surrounding assignments and exams. Worst of all, I don't even get the 2-month break after this sem 'cause it'll be taken up with the compulsory teaching practice that all 3rd-year TESLians have to go through. Plain torture, I tell you. I'd probably be running around hysterical with glee next November, when the 4th year 1st sem exams will be over. Yes, as you can see, I am already planning what to do in November 2008. It's the only thing that'll motivate me to put up with the upcoming year.

So, like, if any of you know anyone who has those Bleach episodes, or if you have them yourselves, please please please give them to me.

It might help me get through this semester, the teaching practice, and the semester after that.

Sigh.

The new year is here!

First thing you'd probably wonder is why this post is in monochrome. Well, I thought that since it's the new year and all, I'd take the opportunity to leave the colourful fonts behind and just stick to default black from here on out. Besides, all that colour-choosing and editing drives me nuts. Here's to sanity!

The first day of 2008 is off with a good start. The weather this morning is simply lovely. It's cloudy, and when I woke up a couple of hours ago at 11, I thought it was still 8 in the morning cos it was so dark and cool. Lovely weather. I hope it'll rain later. I love it when it rains.

I just had breakfast of takeaway kolo mee from that famous shop in Carpenter Street. It's always a satisfying meal, but I don't usually go there to eat because the wait is usually half an hour to an hour long, it's that popular.

There's nothing really good to watch on TV at the moment. No special movies, no cartoons. It's just like any other day, except it's the first day of the new year.

Here's hoping I blog more regularly this year!

Cheers!

Goodbye 2007! Hello 2008!

And the last day of 2007 is finally here, and here we are, welcoming in the new year at midnight tonight. It's been absolute ages since my last blogpost, mostly due to the fact that I was on holiday with my family and when I came back to Kuching, I was just too lazy to blog. Too lazy to sit down with my trusty sidekick El Laptop and type type type. But I'm back, at least for today, and it's time to get back to the normal blogging routine. I've got so much to say, some pictures from the vacation, but for today, I'll just focus on reviewing the past 12 months. I remember doing something like this last year too, so let's try to make it into an end-of-year tradition or something.

Esther's Significant Events of 2007:

January to April - This was the second semester of my sophomore year in Unimas, and it was also during this time that I started getting caught up with the Heroes craze.

May and June - A period of total bliss! The 2-month holidays for all Malaysian public universities started, thus marking the end of my sophomore year. I was quite busy, going for church events, having slumber parties with my buddies, catching movies at the local cinema, and overall having a good time.

July to October - I entered my third year of TESL studies in Unimas. This semester was probably the most hectic and busy semester I've ever had. But we managed to pull it all off - crazy assignments, so-hard-you-can-cry exams, and the play production. The play was especially important, as I wrote the script and directed a group of 45 coursemates. This semester was also a special one for my debating experience. I was part of the Unimas A team that won the Yayasan Sarawak World Style English Debate Competition 2007, and it was a thrilling and memorable journey. We helped create history by becoming the first institution to win the championship trophy three years in a row. In the finals of the debate competition, our team was the Closing Opposition, and I spoke in the position of the Opposition Whip. I also won the Public Speaking Competition, also organised by Yayasan Sarawak. We made the news in 6 local newspapers, and to this day the memory of winning still makes me smile. Heroes Season 2 also aired in the USA, and I spent a lot of time and energy (not to mention disc space!) on each precious episode.

November - Holidays again! Went to Hornbill Steamboat twice, the first with some coursemates to celebrate the end of exams, and secondly with triSh and Vivian.

December - The best family vacation ever! 8 crazy days of shopping and walking and eating and laughing and touring the fabulous night lights of KL! I also turned one year older (horror of horrors, I'm 22!), and of course, beautiful Christmas! A new shopping mall called Boulevard opened, and for the first week of its opening it seemed like the whole of Kuching was concentrated into that one building! Traffic jams all over!

And there you have it. Memories of another year fading into a few pages of diary paper. In a matter of hours it'll be 2008, and the entire cycle begins again. It's funny how time flies by so quickly. Almost like blinking and realising the traffic light has turned green and all the cars are zooming past you. But anyway, below is another list to add to my blog!

In 2007, I discovered...

• Heroes
• Adrian Pasdar
• Bleach
• Cecelia Ahern
• that flowers can make me smile
• that I am a 'romantic sentimentalist'
• that dried roses are still very beautiful
• that I still can't finish reading Tolkien's LOTR
• there's nothing like a cup of hot tea on a cold rainy day
• an icy cold can of Coca-Cola is also really good
• I still like instant noodles
• spicy Korean noodles
• KimGary restaurant in Midvalley Megamall
• Shakey's Pizza serve pretty good pasta
• I never get bored of pasta
• I cook really good creamy mushroom soup
• DoTa
• the digital camera is a blogger's best friend
• you can debate in your T-shirt and jeans and still win
• "On The Street Where You Live"
• Facebook
• sloths are beautiful creatures
• kedondong juice
• belachan goes very well with kedondong slices
• that if you talk/eat too fast, you might bite yourself and get a terrible ulcer at the very spot in your left cheek where your upper and lower molars meet
• that if you smile suddenly in an air-conditioned room, your lips might crack
• cracked lips are painful
• that the colours pink and purple are really pretty
• that I get a headache at night if I don't take a nap in the afternoon
• too much sleep will kill me
• too much shopping will kill me
• too much Cola still hasn't killed me
• the words "empath", "cryokinesis", and "yatta"... all thanks to the Heroes obsession
• you always feels safer when you're holding a torchlight
• I still like little stuffed toys
• sometimes the simplest things are the ones that make you happy

And this is it, people! The end of 2007, the beginning of 2008! I can't believe this past year has flown by so fast! Too fast, almost. But then again, there's always tomorrow to look forward to! See you next year! Cheers!

I don't get it!

Very serious WARNING: Big time Heroes Season 2 spoilers ahead! Skip this blog entry (seriously!) if you don't want to have your fun spoiled by knowing what happens next.


"Why does Nathan always die at the end of each volume?"

Not that I'm saying he's dead yet. But I've just finished the entire Volume 2 of Heroes fame, and I'm left devastated and heartbroken... again. Those of you who've been reading my blog long enough know how crazy I am over the entire Heroes franchise. And that my favourite character (the ultimate favourite over the other favourites) is Nathan Petrelli, aka the Flying Politician. What happened at the end of Season 1 (and thus Volume 1) was this: Peter, unable to control his powers, was about to destroy the New York city, and everyone saw only one way to save New York - kill Peter by planting a bullet through his head. So Claire raised that gun, crying and shivering (Peter was her darling uncle after all), and Peter closed his eyes, ready to die... Until his brother Nathan came swooping down from the skies above and promptly rescued the entire population of NY by flying Peter up into the skies, to explode in 'safety'. Of course, the only way this would end was with Nathan's death too, but he flew Peter up, and as the other heroes watched, the sky lit up with a nuclear explosion. And I was left heartbroken, because the writers of Heroes had killed off my two favourite characters, just like that. I remember staring at the black screen of my laptop for a few moments after that, completely shocked, and entirely devastated, almost to the point of hysterics. That was it. The end. No more Peter, and more importantly, no more Nathan. No more Nathan, no more fun. The end. Finito. Vamoose. Nada. Adieu, Nathan.

Or so I thought.

Season 2 opened in a mess. Everyone was everywhere, except Nathan. Nathan was nowhere to be seen. Until several moments later, when they revealed how he had escaped imminent death. After the explosion, Nathan was left to fall like a duck that had just been shot out of the skies, with the only exception that the duck didn't have half his body burned and blistered from the explosion. Then Peter came to the rescue, flying to catch Nathan before he hit the ground (Peter the Empath, remember?) and carrying him to a hospital. Many many many many episodes later, Nathan recovered (with a little help from Adam Monroe aka Takezo Kensei), and Esther was a very very happy girl.

And then Episode 11 Volume 2 had to happen. Nathan had to come and rescue his little brother (again!) from a big mess, succeeded in making Peter realize the errors of his ways (with a little help from Matt Parkman aka Telepathic Cop), Hiro Nakamura (aka Teleporter Extraordinaire) tackled the problem that was Adam Monroe, and all seemed well. Nathan, Peter, and Matt decided that the only way the could destroy the Company totally was to go public with their superpowers. And this is the part I don't understand. Nathan received two bullets in his chest just when he was about to say "I have the abil -- BANG BANG!" and we'll never know what he was about to say (although we can make a good guess) because Nathan crumpled into the arms of Peter, gasping for what seems to be his last few breaths on planet Earth.

And again, I am left thinking: "Oh NO! They can't do this! Not again! Not Nathan!"

Why? Why did it have to be him? Of course, I'm pretty certain the writers will think up some really cool way to make sure he survives, but can't they take some pity on a poor nearly-22-year old girl stuck in the pathetic island of Borneo? Can't they consider that maybe it's time Nathan was given a break? That maybe too many near-death experiences aren't really very healthy? That maybe Nathan has suffered a little too much already? So, to borrow and modify a few lines from the ancient Greek play Oedipus Rex (and the script to the same play), here's what I have to say:

"Spare Nathan! Let him live!"

And thus endeth Volume 2. Let Volume 3 begin!