quatroca

Why doesn't people understand rules and regulations

2010-01-04T20:16:25Z

Why doesn't people understand rules and regulations? And why do they think that I'm so free as to travel to and fro from the east to the west just to teach her two kids on another day?If they had to miss a lesson (sometimes prob a sudden planned shopping trip and she didn't want to tell me), by right (and left, up and down, back and front) there is NO make-up lessons for them. I'm totally packed for the day.Urgh....... not just one, few others too. Have to explain to them.Should be firm and said, "NO. NO make-up lessons at all." Can't they understand? They assume I can forever adapt to their time?Even when I go for lessons on fri, i knew if i'm late i'll still end at my stiuplated end-time, and when i miss lesson, i don't assume that i can ask the teacher for another make-up lesson.And sometimes they overestimate their capabilities.People, be REASONABLE!!!!!!!!!And now, psy assignment still... TOMORROW!!!!! *stress again*

Thank goodness for Ch i and their good taste (sometimes) in choosing shows

2009-12-26T13:02:42Z

Thank goodness for Ch i and their good taste (sometimes) in choosing shows!I just happened to flip through and saw the beginning (after the showing of the production crew and stuff though) and got attracted to it.The little girl is so cherubic and sweet, I thought she looked like Christina Ricci from certain angle.And my guess was so right - the girl "grew up" to become christina ricci.Yea, it's the showing of "The Man Who Cried" - Johnny Depp!!!!!!!!!!He's soooooooooo hawwwwwwwwwt and sexy in that show!!! *muah**orgasm* haha~okok. back to the show now.Just so relieved to have another channel that certainly knows what a good show is - as long as there's JD in it. XDBenny and Joon, this one. I don't see these two on ch 5 though. Bah~Only Edward Scissorshand and The Astronaut's Wife. Not enough!

Though I'm only through half of my HD course..

2009-12-23T12:14:45Z

(heck, not even half if I didn't pass these sem's 3 papers)... I've found wonderful friends in this course of studying.Although the exam has just ended for me, I felt a little reluctant that it has ended, because that would mean the time spent studying with friends is over, and we might not see some of us the next semester in the same class.Although it's still too early for me to judge my psy class, the group of people studying in USQ is different from Thames.I remembered what someone I got to know a little more recently had said, "you people are lucky this time. In the past, there was no sharing of notes nor studying together among classmates. Most of them are adults and have family commitments..." Guess I felt the same for psy, though i've spoke to 2 via msn who's in their early 20s (still older than me bleah) and we could meet up to study together.But 1 is like, super enthu and scary! Everything psychology, everything so strict to his schedule.Yea, I know, that's called self-discipline, but it's still scary.Like his life revolves only around psychology. (and things that's typical to most young successful people - sports car, clubbing etc.)Bah~Hope I can survive psychology. "I will survive.. I will survive!!"I'll surely miss my kakis in TBS when we graduate. *sniff*Ever wonder in life, there's the sudden emergence of leeches around? Self-centered people too.

What a time to get a call from my music school regarding something about a student who won't be lear

2009-12-20T08:38:09Z

What a time to get a call from my music school regarding something about a student who won't be learning under me because I have to miss lessons.Of course i do replace such lessons.Well, can't blame because she's a secondary school student and she has CCA until quite late on fridays.I guess this is easier that she decides to stop learning from me rather than me letting go of them - so it won't seem like I'm "abandoning" them. Heh.Probably IF my last two evening students can change time to an evening lesson, I can finally have my friday evenings free!Free for classes, free for activites.Though I felt (and am still feeling) rather uneasy about this (did I do something wrong?), and of course, a little reluctance of letting my student go who had been under me for quite some time.I don't know why, but I felt like I'm at fault. This is quite a silly feeling of course, because I did not purposely missed lessons.Probably it's because I hate to feel like I did something wrong - don't like people to have a bad impression of me? This is quite er.. impossible of course.And no one's perfect. I really need to let go of that Virgo-perfectionism.

1st Singapore Idol has born!!! (Singaporeans have good eyesight after all)

2009-12-17T04:46:25Z

Taufik "Boy, you are HAAWWWWT" Batisah IS the 1st Singapore Idol!!

This is SOOOOOOOOOOOO exciting

2009-12-14T02:10:02Z

This is SOOOOOOOOOOOO exciting!!!!!! Singapore Idol is gonna start!Although I haven't catch ALL the spectaculars religiously, the excitement has surely gotten into me from the tv. *wooot*!!*does mini-dance*Ahhh... upon seeing the comments by some of the mediacorp artists, it seemed like they're trying to be neutral so when one says Sly, the other will say something else.However, it's quite obvious that these are the people who's voting for Taufik eh? *winkz*OMG...... this is sooo coool!!!From ordinary people walking along the streets to becoming IDOLS and standing on stage right now!Ah!! And the yellow Chevrolet (duno wad's the series though) and the Harleys are so beoootiful!!Okok.. back to the show!Edit at 9.41pm: Vote for Taufik "Boy that was HAWWWT!!!" Batisah!! His voice is really good.

I'm supposed to be SLEEPING right now, but............

2009-12-10T22:14:22Z

.................... I realised Yahoo! Mail (just?) upgraded the mailbox storage of 100MB to 250MB!! Ehhhhhhhhhhh????????!!!!!!!!!! (the "Happy-EH" type) All in the name of "free account" too!Wa hahaha! I'm SOOOO surprised! And not that I want more space, but it does make me feel happy!Or at least awake for the moment.Goodnight. *face plonked*Updated: I realised it's only for my account which was in my lj user-info and not the other email accounts that is upgraded to 250MB. I hope it's not a trick by some silly virus or blunder by Yahoo.Updated again on 5 Dec: now ALL my Yahoo! email accounts are 250MB!! Yay!!Hotmail is so slow in upgrading it.. zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

I know I'm not a corporate user nor am bl00dy loaded...

2009-12-07T18:12:11Z

..but I'm so in love with BlackBerry and Motorola MPx (not in market yet) !!!!Please take note - it's MPx, NOT MPx200 which is already out now. BIIIG difference!(Yes, I must be out of my mind by typing this entry in the midst of compiling notes for IT. I'm going mad just by searching the definiton of "TOGGLE KEY". I just need to put down my desires here or else I will not r.i.p. study in peace. )I was reading through the Fall 2004 Style & Design issue supplement to Time magazine again on Sunday, few weeks after I first read it, and there's a "HOT LIST" comparing the "Luxe" with "Deluxe".It's crazy how those rich ones can afford and to spend their money on the "Luxe" list, not to mention those "Deluxe" items!!(Alright, it doesn't make sense if they don't spend their monIES on luxuries.)Hot ListCome come.. look at the part that compared BlackBerry 7230 and Motorola MPx. Woopee!Can I have both, oh (rich[so that he has no financial burdens after buying these two haha] ) prince charming? *flutter eyelids* All because I can't decide on either one!I like BlackBerry because, come on, it's patented by RIM (Research In Motion). Top personnels are so addicted to it, this symptom (or the addict) is called "CrackBerry". ^^;And why put BlackBerry on "Luxe" list and not any other up-and-coming devices like HP iPaq, O2 series, Sony Ericcson smart phones or Treo, to name a few?Oh, and there's a "Swarovski-bejeweled Treo 600 by custom order" which cost $929. Who would dare to flash it out?Ah, I digress. Back to BlackBerry.In short, there's something about BlackBerry lar!BlackBerry 7230 BlackBerry 7100vSpecifications of BlackBerry 7100vAnd comparison of BlackBerry devices.Sigh.. a pity only Australia and New Zealand offer this model.Then Motorola MPx! Look at the images! This.. smart-phone (?) is cool! Oh well, even if I have these phones, the GPRS charges will be sky-rocket high. Singapore still hasn't the reach the state of allowing free surfing or something like that? as in, a more competitive and wider range of surfing plans.And why isn't there a BlackBerry store here? I wannnnntttttt............... .Ok. Enough of this.

PDC Training

2009-12-04T14:27:52Z

21st November 2004, SundayWent for the meeting which commenced at 9am. Understood more on the special and cultural groups of SSA and watched the video on "Another Way of Seeing Things" again!!After rewatching it, the message is still as deeply-impacted as the 1st time I watched it, or even stronger. I even almost teared towards the end.We also went through the mottos and directions of the Volunteer group, cultural group and education group, and had a rough overview of next year's YCF.Ooo next year will be such a busy year! I just want to finish my HDAC as expected in August next year. Not so much my forte ya know, and I want to concentrate more on psychology asap!After the training, there's choir practice and as usual, the members are as energetic as ever even though some of them came straight after PD/FD meeting.Met my mum, bro, mum's young colleague (older than me by a year) and mum's friend to watch "Coming Home", a Singapore film in conjunction with The Yellow Ribbon Project which was shown in SSA HQ in the evening.Even though I spent the whole day out, it was extremely worthwhile. I wasn't a single bit of exhausted at all until I plonked into my bed.USQ has given us a learning activity for our own knowledge regarding conducting of different types of survey techniques in getting answers.To think that we are told to "investigate the attitudes that people in the community have towards the rehabilitation of criminals"!Different kinds of people in regards to their attitudes towards convicts / ex-convicts were portrayed in "Coming Home" too! This is so amazing! I mean, how much of coincidence and relation between two unrelated activities can one come across?Ok, enough blabbering. Shoulders are tense. I need a massage!!(And answers to IT questions!! @_O)

Came across this esteemed Senior Writer and Global-Affairs Columnist

2009-12-01T09:51:02Z

Came across this esteemed Senior Writer and Global-Affairs Columnist, Pranay Gupte's Letter from Singapore from a post by mr. brown, one of Today's correspondent.Mr. Gupte had left Straits Times on Nov 16 and I felt it is a loss for the people here due to a newspaper co. that monopolise the market. Though I don't read his articles in The Straits Times because I don't even buy Straits Times -- I can googled whatever I want instantly -- , I thought it really is a pity for losing someone who is experienced because of another's poor expertise in the field - moreso, because of the few individuals' mindset of "public view". (By the way, that's BS - WHAaaT public view when you have already edited an article that was meant to be debated by us, between us, or even with our own self?)We are in danger of losing out to many upcoming countries, and like what my biz law lecturer had said, there will never be another pre-1997 economic situation again in Singapore (sic).When will we learn to see things from another point of view? When will we stop thinking of just "me, me, and only me"?**Dedicated to my friends studying MC. Hope you all will stand up for an impartial media system (not just regarding the above issue) in the future. *salutes you all*And here I'll leave some extracts from an essay "Another Way To See Things" from a book, "The World is Yours to Change" by Daisaku Ikeda:For [Arnold] Toynbee, guided as he was by Saint Augustine's injunction "Audi alteram partem" (Hear the other side), this was absolutely crucial. And he placed particular importance on listening to the side that was "the more in danger of not being given a fair hearing".(English; pg 89) The growth and development of various media can actually increase the danger of proliferating stereotypes and ready-made images. We are all exposed to these risks. (English; pg 97)... Do I accept without question the images provided to me? Do I believe unconfirmed reports without first examining them? Have I unwittingly allowed myself to become prejudiced? Do I really have a grasp of the facts of the matter? Have I confirmed things for myself? Have I gone to the scene? Have I met the people involved? Have I listened to what they have to say? Am I being swayed by malicious rumors?(English; pg 97, 99) The last part seems like GP isn't it, Noormie? hehe. I remembered what ms. yap had told us on how to write GP essays.(After putting aside the book for 4 months, I finally picked it up this morning and am left with 1/3 of the book. *finally eh?*)

Screw *H

2009-11-28T06:32:51Z

Screw *H!I just paid 2 months worth of bill (ok, $3.20 lesser than 2 months' worth) few days after the due-date, and they start sending the reminder.Now, they send me a new bill for the latest month and they want me to pay immediately instead of the usual 20 days' grace.Grrrr..........It's just $3.20 less. and 1 month.They will only send the letter if i have yet to pay both months together.Argh. so pissed.I'm already so broke, I just hope i can survive the remaining week before my pay is deposited into my account.I'm THAT broke, and [ABCDE] &H wants me to pay up.Moral of story: remember to pay off debts days before the arrival of the reminder. It doesn't have to be the exact sum.That's how companys pay off their debts *oops.. business secrets!* -- they want to earn interest in their bank lar.So if anyone don't see or hear from me on MSN or lj by next week, you'll know what happened to me. (Though I will definitely spend the whole time studying as I've even took "urgent" leave for next friday's lessons though I don't have exam in the afternoon.)

Another week has gone by

2009-11-25T03:13:53Z

Another week has gone by.. There's psy A lesson tonight, and I have yet to read up on both psy modules for the past 2 weeks!I'm getting pissed at how two classmates who added me on msn kept asking me whether "have you done your assignment" or "have you studied".So pressurizing!I have other commitments too, and I hate how they assumed I'm a workaholic or I'm working for the money or I have plenty of free time.I have to study for my accounting exams too. 2 weeks to exam.Who are they to judge me? F-ers. If they have so much time just go ahead and do la. I know we should start like 2 weeks ago, but dammit! I just have other things to do and I can't just put them down.Alright, I admit if I don't spend time on computer I would be able to do them.But that's not just the reason.Unlike some of my TBS friends who are nice and unpretentious.It's true I have yet to meet my psy friends and I shouldn't jump to conclusions so fast, but it really is getting on my nerves how it seems like only psy revolves around their life.That's probably their only highest priority now. Get a grip!I'm not only responsible for myself, I have to be responsible for my students too. (though THEY should be the one to work hard if they want to achieve things. I wonder why do they and parents think otherwise. Grrr) and members. and family.(probably not enough daimoku too)Also, I still don't understand somehow why after 1 year of teaching on two fixed days and same time, some people could still forget about it. (I did tell them now and then when they ask.)Not that I'm upset, I believe if people makes the effort to remember (which I always make sure I do despite the failing memory), they can remember it.It's people who know me in general, not targeting at specific people.Maybe I should make the effort to show them that I'm out-of-bounds SPECIFICALLy on fridays-sundays, like carrying a billboard with me or something.Probably it's cause and effect - everybody has no fixed schedules now, and once I step out of school, I find myself forgetting about the different school timetables (both sec and tertiary levels)(I used to remember them [especially secondary school days] at the tips of my fingers - where they study, what level are they in, what subjects are they taking. But now.... *guilt*)Oh, and how only 1 of my student wants me to go down specially for (s)he because (s)he is having piano exams.I don't really want to put that down, but I'm really annoyed at that, and being a teacher I know I shouldn't feel this way.I also believe that I should do more than just teach only during the given time.It's just that I am really, really running out of time to handle even my own things.It's not that I don't want to help, but my student is good enough!Travelling time takes me two hours to-and-fro, and I need those time to study!And that 2 hours of travelling just for 45 mins of lesson? O_OAh, sometimes it's not that I don't want to help, but I have my own things to do.Is it because somehow, some people assume that I'm available for them all the time?I know they have to meet a deadline, but so do I!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't have 48 hours a day.Things like, calling me when I'm outside the whole day teaching and wanting me to do something for her and coming over from my house to get it from me?Expecting her things to be done right there and then? I know she's not so IT-savvy, but I don't have access to computer everytime and I'm not always at home, especially these two months.That's a little over the limit, no?Advice anyone? (especially the one about the student. I know I know, I'm the elder one and I have the authority to reject. How can I put it nicely?)*feeling somewhat helpless and pissed off*

Growing up and independence..

2009-11-22T02:30:36Z

I've written a rather long post regarding (self) independence in which I felt self-motivation and self-discipline is a part of it too, but suddenly felt it was a tad too much info and too boring.And even emotional?Probably I'll just edit it shorter then.I think I thrive on having packed schedules so that I won't have the chance to slack at all. :/Probably it all started when I was a small kid...Having said that, I need a great deal of motivation. (ah, reminds me of "operant conditioning" when we're learning. One psy classmate mentioned that to me and I'm supposed to read it up! *guilt*)It's not easy when you're the only one going along this path while most of your friends whom you've somehow grown up with are doing the mainstream events (no bad feelings about it).I think most of my friends (both real-life and lj friends) are independent (those around my age that is).We will try to settle our own problems by ourselves than involving our parents to help us out.I was having a conversation with another soon-to-be psy classmate and I was asking him about the start of class.And somehow, all the dissatisfaction with the education partner service was being lashed out by both of us, but me being the "older bird" (someone who had to go through such dealings last sem AND not just psychology matters), I had too much problems that I doubt anyone has heard of.He mentioned to ask my parents to come down and talk it out with the personnels.That thought has never come to my mind at all. My mum trusted me with the things that I'm doing, knowing when to let me go and she gives me full support for everything.Even if majority thinks majoring in psychology will be "useless" in the (s'pore) market. Hey! It's NOT! (that's another story)On one hand, although we felt it wasn't easy having to settle such disputes by ourselves and having no one else who could guide us with similar experiences, we were forced to do so and thus it became a stepping stone to another level of growing up. (I know how some of my friends did everything by themselves.)On the other hand, who doesn't want to immerse in the feeling of having someone to protect and shield and help you, making your life easier?The wings of parents' protection around us all the time, knowing that they are always there.Able to turn back to parents whenever felt scared.It's not that I was a pampered kid - it's the feeling of protectiveness, the ablility to fall back when you're scared that has always been a harness prepared for me already.Certain situations made you stand up as an adult (gasp! I'm that old and adult-ish now?!), on your own feet, on not falling back to that harness you had when you were a kid.Also, the different age groups and types of friends you made along your life life plays an important part too..Sometimes when I felt unsure of my own ability, I'll tend to get too worrying and even to the extent of stressed out.That feeling of "scaredness" will come back, but it'll only be momentarily.It is times like this that made me renew my self-confidence.However, certain things that tend to be overwhelming almost destroyed me by making my (surpressed?) child-like to come out and want to stop growing up, wanting to be able to depend on someone without making that someone feel like I'm too emotional. Heh~(I must confessed I have troubled a very dear friend of mine at such times.)Ah, shall have to read up on psychology. And accounting modules.And get in touch with my spiritual self.Too much personal thoughts. Once again, time to renew my love to LJ: Love ya!

:(

2009-11-19T01:48:44Z

Yesterday was Hari Raya Puasa to mark the end of the ninth month of Ramadan. Ramadan is a month-long of fasting for Muslims to experience the sufferings of poor people.Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri! :)Today is a public holiday because yesterday was a hoilday too.And I thought psychology B is supposed to start today, hence I thought I couldn't attend tonight's leaders meeting.Who knows it was changed to Friday! FRIDAY again!!! wtf. I'm super pissed.Worse thing was there was an update done long ago in September and I've updated the 2nd schedule, but I don't see any changes in the days of lessons.Most likely I was sent the old schedule again, or I deleted the new one.Nevertheless, it's so frustrating to have lessons clashed with working time, and this time I am determined NOT to drop any modules.If I kept dropping, when I will get to finish it? And by dropping them, I can't run away from present situations.(Also, the fees will increase every year I assume, so hopefully if I can complete both this time round, I can save almost a thousand for both.And not forgetting that I dropped last semester, I'm so gonna be known as "the girl who keeps dropping modules".)I've long wanted to change my teaching time in the evening but my 3 students could not!I guess come worse to worse I will have to forego those income which, though seemed little, contributes to my meagre pay.Unexpected times which make us spend money (e.g. doctor's fees, gifts for whatever occasions) that is beyond our control has to be taken into account.And I have yet to shop for quite some time, so it can't be my unnecessary expenditure.Sigh. This is extremely frustrating.I should have NEVER signed up for psychology first. Got "conned" by frikkin informatics. (and the sales executive had quit few months ago and I wasn't informed about it! Grrrrrrr...)But what's done is done, so I have to go along with it.One friend told me if I had to get a stable income and higher than my present pay I will need to give up on teaching.Teaching is flexible and if compared to office job (admin asst maybe) with it's hourly rate, I'm definitely earning more with teaching.But I can only cater to a certain number of students with the limited period of time - as in, I don't have workers working for me.IF my students could change time (probably it's easier to have older students or private students even) I guess it won't be much a problem with me.Besides, with my qualifications, can I get such (office) jobs?What a challenge. But I'm sure it can be solved ultimately.Counting down: 2 more weeks to exam!! 5 more weeks to the handing in of TWO assignments!

Hilarious links

2009-11-15T23:17:35Z

Was looking through email archives and saw this link sent by my bro:Desktop Icon War!What a genius! Hehe. LOVE this Flash! silicon.com special - "Nigerian" money scam: What happens when you reply?*Gawfaws* It's so OBVIOUS these scammers were being mocked at! Cute and funny!! (wasshoi!!) 'Nuff said.

Inuyasha

2009-11-09T16:52:43Z

Sigh...... new fan added to this cartoon! (I know, it's rather slow of me.)These two hero and heroine is so adorkable together. (Also the drawing is nice, as notified by Josh that it's from the artist Rumiko Takahashi who's drew Ranma 1/2 too. And get this - she's a lady! NOT a male artist! GO FEMALE POWER!! ^^)And suave too! Also, sometimes dorky and child-like and "rude and rough" (edited 13/11: Kagome's own words as seen from Fri night's episode on tv) yet so attractive, charming, cool and protective and full of justice when fighting to save the "world"! (kinda, well they have to save themselves ain't it?)*droolz*Can you imagine, falling for crazy over a make-believe cartoon character who is 1/2 dog demon and 1/2 human?!And the japanese voice-over.. really suits the character! [edit on 16 Nov 1:35am] alright, being the dork I am, I JUST found out that the dubbing artist (Kappei Yamaguchi) did Ranma's voice too!!!!! Now why didn't that voice ring a bell? Oh I was watching the mandarin-dubbed version then!Now I know why people are crazy over him it - IT! The cartoon I mean.*Goes on thinking about him.. IT!*http://www.inuyashaworld.com/http://inuyasha.nexuswebs.net/http://www.inu-yasha.themoon.co.uk/ http://ear-tweak.com/ --> LOVELY site with medias (http://ear-tweak.com/iy_media/character_random.htm</li> -- clips of memorable speeches) , reviews, manga scanalations too! ^^ +++Lush the Inuyasha Shrine, Version 5.0+++ --> Lovely! Shows the japanese voice actors and episode summaries too!http://www.tvtome.com/Inuyasha/ http://www.absoluteanime.com/inu-yasha/index.htm --> profile of "InuYasha" on www.absoluteanime.com. It also explains why Inuyasha sometimes act like a jerk to Kagome in "Character Description". --> Brief yet concise intro about "Inuyasha's" characters. (alright, from now on "Inuyasha" with " " refers to the cartoon.)http://archives.theotaku.com/inuyasha/characters.shtml --> another one on characters in "Inuyasha"http://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/yasya/ --> "Inuyasha" Official Webpage (the co. that animates Inuyasha) in Japanese (a pity I don't understand)http://inuyasha.hk.st/ --> GREAT downloads!http://bishounenorama.dreamhost.com/starfarfromhome/inuyasha.htm -->*chuckles* I like the captions in the gallery. Wahaha!http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?list=I --> look for "InuYasha" in this pg. http://inuyasha.yoll.net/index.html --> Inuyasha Scripts & Episode Capsules http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/InuYasha --> Inuyasha - Wikipediahttp://novacaine.net/inu-yasha/ (alright alright! last one!) *yawn* I think that's quite a handful. There's more over here..

Hmm.. is it because..

2009-11-03T10:46:04Z

.. today is a public holiday hence the frequent updating?I literally spent the whole day in front of the computer and finally scoot off at almost 10.There's Bollywood/Hollywood and Lagaan at two channels showing simultaneously, and both are GOOD!My bro and I were fighting over the remote and busy flipping through the channels during advertisements.Later there'll be TWO japanese anime (The 12 Kingdoms and Inuyasha) on arts central at 11pm! argh!And those two bollywood shows aren't over yet!

United States of.. Canada.

2009-10-25T01:48:44Z

Saw these yesterday and thought it's interesting so shared with Josh too.The overview of the map (and some strong vibes about this.. uh.. thing.):Canadian EscapeAnother one with the states clearly stated: ("states" "stated".. Hmm)United States of CanadaAs commented in crackshot's post, I'm "trying to be neutral here".(There are people who doesn't find this funny at all see.)[Updated]One more:The results of whom majority of each state has voted for is related to their IQ.However, there was an "IQ by State" hoax since 2000. Ah, it's so confusing! Just click for fun. Or don't click for that matter.Go down to the end of the page and there is a site which "debunk(s) the original 2000 election thing". And I just stumbled on this too:Americans saying "Sorry" to the world because of Bush. *headache from "tweaking" the layout*

President Arafat of Palestine has passed away in France

2009-10-21T20:08:33Z

President Arafat of Palestine has passed away in France.Just hope there'll be no unnecessary unrest of neighbouring countries at this point of time. It's so.. pointless.

Layout changed..

2009-10-18T17:14:55Z

I read somewhere that lighter backgrounds are easier on the eye, and also suddenly thought about copyright issues regarding the use of the SLR wallpaper publicly before seeking permission (is this an infringement of copyright act?) hence I decided to change (the layout).It took me more than 2 hours to "challenge" myself with html and all for this! Urgh. *LOUSEH*Changing of colours here and there, trying to add links at the side but they just wouldn't appear!And of course surfing around the net while I was making these changes.Also trying to add UnkyMoods in here. _-_Anyway, I'm too sleepy to figure out how to add links the correct way. I'll do so when I'm more energized.Nevertheless, felt rather accomplished - if only the links could be added!!!!!!!!! What went wrong? Hmm...Good night Good morning![Edit]Happy Deepavali too! And Hari Raya is coming soon! How fast!And after that, Christmas!! And New Year!!

Silly insecurities!

2009-10-15T12:04:27Z

So, my brother just called me, asking me whether do I want to teach his friend's sister who is currently taking Grade 5.I think I worry too much - whether or not I'm up to the standard to teach her, whether or not she'll pass, whether or not she'll understand, whether or not I'll be a LOUSY teacher.Argh! I should go forward and challenge myself isn't it?It's not about the money - it's more about my reputation I guess.Also that would mean I would need to upgrade myself - which is a good thing for me, but that would mean more time spent on this aspect.Apparently the teacher who taught her wasn't that good - talk for 30mins and just teach for a minimal time. What the???Thank goodness for some experience in teaching sectionals and choir, but I know I'm not polished enough. (Who is when they just started? I'm just a green horn.)Anyway, I can't give my brother a definite answer on the spot, so I told him to check with our previous piano teacher whether she has the slot to take in.If not, I'll consider taking it up - IF the student decides to change teacher too.What's the pros and cons for taking up? And yesterday upon having an insightful chat with one of the young men leaders, getting many good advices from him, one was about "doing many things in a limited time" and which will be enriching to our lives.(Hmm, on top of all these, did anyone realise that I didn't squeeze in time for dating? LOL. No dates, no worries. Ha. Oh, but friends and gathering and shopping retail therapy I will definitely try my best if possible! :D*frowns* I can't be an spinster unmarried old woman can I? You know about spinsters unmarried old women, when they have achieved a high post in a company they tend to have high expectations of work done by people and they might even bark at them nowhere because of urm.. mood-swings. :/ I DON'T WANT to be like that!).:end rant:.

Oh, the lovelies of The O.C.!

2009-10-06T05:04:09Z

MSNBC - Don't be ashamed to love The O.C.Of course I'm not!! I've been following it since the 1st episode and will always be an avid follower! (Thank goodness for vcr. or DVDs for that matter - IF I have the money. It all comes down to money money money. Sigh)Anyway, 2nd season of the O.C started not long ago in the States on Nov 4th.I think it would be almost done for 1st season over here, give or take less than 10 episodes? Have to go check their official site.Excerpt from the article:"This is a series about high school that knows those who are popular in high school peak then and never really go anywhere. This is a series about the fraud that is high society life. And this is a series that celebrates and captures the family in a way that no other drama except The Sopranos has managed to do.""Most of Seths lines, which expose the writers intelligence and the generation of the series 28-year-old creator, [the youngest producer of drama series in history!] are worth the 44 minutes alone." "Here the adults are integral, dealing with similar problems but with greater depth, and allowing the audience to be unabashedly composed of teenagers and their parents." That's why I love the O.C., and Andy Denhart has never said it better!Dont be ashamed to love The OCBeneath the sunshine, show celebrates familyRyan (Benjamin McKenzie, right) isn't really the star of "The O.C." That honor belongs to Seth (Adam Brody, left).COMMENTARYBy Andy DehnartMSNBC contributorUpdated: 3:07 p.m. ET Nov. 4, 2004Explaining the appeal of The OC is difficult. Imagine trying to explain to someone why you sometimes find yourself staring at nothing in particular, eyes locked, unwilling to move because it feels so good. Thats what FOXs frequently melodramatic, often overwrought, pseudo-soap opera is actually like: its insurmountably pleasurable to stare at but hard to justify.But theres more to The OC, whose second season premieres Nov. 4, than most give it credit for. Although a quick glance reveals an image of another southern California-based, zip-code-named FOX drama reflecting off of The OCs surface, below that mirage is actual depth and intelligence. Its an HBO series masquerading as a WB drama airing on typically shallow FOX. This is a series about high school that knows those who are popular in high school peak then and never really go anywhere. This is a series about the fraud that is high society life. And this is a series that celebrates and captures the family in a way that no other drama except The Sopranos has managed to do.The premise is simple: a troubled, brooding teenager who deals with practically everything by punching is rescued from his existence by charitable lawyer Sandy and his skeptical but sympathetic wife Kirsten. In the wealthy community of Orange County, Ryans Chino-bred presence is unsettling, except to the Cohens teenage son Seth, who instantly bonds with Ryan over video games and develops a full-on hetero crush after Ryan defends him. Mostly, they become friends because Ryan is the first person beyond Seths parents to acknowledge his existence.Seth is the real starThe secret here is that Ryan is not the star; he was an excuse to get us inside the Cohens house, and to drag Seth out of that house. Played by Benjamin McKenzie, Ryan is a catalyst that stays in the foreground so that well appreciate the background even more. For all its platitudes and eye candy, The OC is actually subversive: masquerading as a poppy soap opera, its subtly a complex drama/comedy. Reveling in the melodramatic relationship between girl-next-door Marisa and Ryan while holding up geeky Seth as the hero, the series exposes its teenage viewers to a new type of cool. And despite all of this, the show still has flawless, bright FOX aesthetics and a soundtrack that makes mainstream, corporate-sanctioned stars of its formerly non-mainstream performers.Seth Cohen is only uncool in his high school, upper-class world; in ours, hes what we idolize in the pages of Spin and Radar. Thats the joke: Most people Seth encounters dont get him, but thats because they dont realize that hes way ahead of them. A straight teenage amalgam of Carson Kressley and Jon Stewart, he dresses in impeccable hipster clothes, looks hot, has better taste in music than every top 40 station music director in the country, and throws out witty, pop culture reference-filled one-liners.Most of Seths lines, which expose the writers intelligence and the generation of the series 28-year-old creator, are worth the 44 minutes alone. But the best exchanges are those between Seth and his dad, Sandy, whos played by Peter Gallagher. Not believing theyre father and son is nearly impossible, as they play off each other with equal amounts of love and uneasiness. This is going to be awesome, Seth says as hes about to take off to Tijuana with Summer, the girl hes been secretly in love with for years. Shes hot stuff, son, Sandy says. And now its ruined, Seth intones. Adam Brodys performance here is flawless, and while the writing gives life to his character, its mostly in the careful delivery.Seth has an equally awkward teenage-adult relationship with his mother. Shortly before Seth calls Kirsten Waspy McWasp while explaining the rationale for his holiday Chrismukkah, Kirsten says, We didnt really know how to raise Seth, and shes only half-kidding. In an unbelievable but acceptable leap, Ryan quickly and comfortably slips into this family, which is fraught with problems but is uncompromisingly deep in its genuineness. Whether its Sandys jealousy over their next-door neighbor Jimmy, who also happens to be Kirstens high school boyfriend; Kirstens issues with her controlling and emotionally distant father; or Sandy and Kirstens protectiveness, the only punches the series pulls come from Ryan. Importance of the adultsThe Cohen family finds itself as much on the outside as Ryan does. Kirsten secretly loathes her catty, shallow, hypocritical friends; Sandy is a public defender bred in the Bronx who finds himself living a foreign life because of his wifes familys money. Compared to most of the other characters, the Cohens are four-dimensional, leaping off the screen and connecting to us, while the others are two-dimensional cardboard cutouts whose 2x4 stands are occasionally visible. Here the adults are integral, Mischa Bartons Marissa, in particular, dealing with similar problems is a walking, shrieking, overreacting, but with greater depth, overdosing, shoplifting clicheand and allowing the her mother, Julie, is even worse. , audience to be Still, their stories while frequently unabashedly contrived and occasionally frustrating composed of (a midseason plot involving a psycho teenagers and their stalker named Oliver still irks many fans), parents. are genuine in the sense that the characters reactions and interaction is very real. In one of the wrier twists, the series pulls the popular characters into the periphery and forces them to be outsiders, rather than taking the easy way out and letting Ryan and Seth become instantly popular. We see little of school or society life, other than those people who come into direct contact with the Cohens. And while The OC treats the teenagers storylines with respect, the real seriousness comes from the adults, in their interactions with their kids and with each other. Whereas the adults were absent from dramas such as Felicity and Dawsons Creek, here theyre integral, dealing with similar problems but with greater depth, and allowing the audience to be unabashedly composed of teenagers and their parents.Yet despite pushing into this occasionally deep territory, The OC maintains a glossy, attractive surface, working on multiple levels to become whatever you want it to be. The show never strays far from lighter moments, and its also not afraid to make fun of itself, to recognize that what its doing isnt really serious. Enough with the whole moody scowl thing, Seth tells Ryan, who tends to replace vocabulary words with facial expressions. Its easy to see Seth saying the same thing to those who act like The OC has nothing to offer them.Andy Dehnart is a writer and teacher who publishes reality blurred, a daily summary of reality TV news. 2004 MSNBC Interactive

Damn shack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

2009-10-03T02:23:51Z

Finally finished my biz law project this morning at 12pm before I went for lessons.Slept at 5am last night this morning and woke up almost 10am. Wanted to wake up earlier to complete but I was just too tired.Seemed like I was awake for almost 24 hours on Saturday and I'm someone who needs sleep for survival. (I know of someone who could stay away for at least two whole days. madness!)Saw many of my classmates who handed in their assignment that looked like a thesis. *shudders*Mine is like.. urgh. CMI (cannot make it), but so far he didn't call me up to tell me to amend the assignment.HOWEVER he will go through thoroughly and will call up those he felt will need some touching up in order to score a better grade, regardless of whether we might have to do it umpteen times and even late into Dec.Somehow I was hoping he would do that for my case (seems like I'm mad!), but if this could save my marks, I'm all for it!At least I know what is expected for the answers and hey, he's actually helping us to get better marks this way! That's actually very cool.Anyway, I guess I'll just clean up the soft-copy in my PC in case he calls up for a re-do from me - which of course would be done tomorrow.Ah, nothing much interesting happened (or at least I can't recall for now).Saw 6 ADORABLE Jack Russells on Sat that were owned and brought by a co-worker in the music school.They're about 5 weeks old and are pretty much tamed for the times when I went to take a look at them during my breaks.3 were sold, 3 more left. I'm not sure about the buying status now though.However, one thing that was very peculiar and cute was the number of spots on each puppy was in-line with the order that they were given birth!i.e, puppy No. 1 has 1 spot, puppy no. 2 has 2 spots and so on. Amazing!And the mother has one spot, the father has a whole patch on the back.Gah!!! So adorable! And a relatively smart breed too! (PURE breed in fact!)Wish I could keep one. Sigh.And wish there was a camera somewhere for me to snap photos of them! They were mostly sleeping in the box and they did not run around or yelp all the time.Pupppyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Shall go hunt for pictures of them when they were just about a week old - they were put up for sale on the forum of this website! [updated link]I'm totally knocked out since afternoon and yet I'm still here surfing the internet. I'm just a masochist ain't I!More programs lined up from tomorrow onwards - preparing for psychology semester, preparing for accounting exams, preparing for gakkai activities and exams, teaching, upgrading myself in order to teach people... Argh! And updating of the choir database and calling people up! *tears hair*

2 more days left for me to complete my biz law assignment

2009-09-30T00:40:40Z

2 more days left for me to complete my biz law assignment!Went out in the afternoon to meet one of my piano students who will be taking the theory exam this Sat, and I was already on the verge of bankrupcy, so I didn't intend to eat lunch.But sweet student treated me! Feel so bad.. Prob I'll do the same for dinner after this student's lesson.It was raining when we were goin through theory, and thank goodness it stopped for awhile for us to walk to the bus stop without getting drenched.Met someone at library to find books, and it was raining like cats and dogs again at that area.After that went for a meeting, so yea, basically stayed out the whole day today. Cooling day!Had a great time talking to my mum after that. She was relating to the fun episodes of her work life, the jokes they share. Haha~ funny mother! She's cool, man.And I saw the TAXI trailer on tv!!! I was soooo excited and was "screaming" away, like, late at night? Yeah..Well, firstly, it's the "Taxi"!! The Hollywood version of the French original (starring Samy Naceri as the COOL taxi driver Daniel Morales, Frdric Diefenthal as milien Coutant-Kerbalec - the funny cop and two beautiful ladies as their love of their lifes), all (including the French "Taxi 2" and "Taxi 3") produced by Luc Besson. The storyline was changed somehow, (Queen Latifah is the taxi driver now) but I saw similar scenes to that of the French version.Hope the jokes weren't lame - be as classic and sophisticated like the original one.Secondly, there's Jimmy Fallon!!! What's not to like about him? *think SNL*Oh, and upon watching the trailer, Queen Latifah is goood.Yeah, just click on the links to check them out.Or just get the shows and keep them!It's coming out on Nov 11 over here by the way. *hint*Hmm.. The most I'll watch by myself. Not like the time I missed Taxi 3 in February last year! :`(P.S: The taxi vehicle used in the first and the sequels are sooooooo awesome and cool! I want one of that! And it gets better for each show! Muahaha......

Totally SHACK!!!!!!

2009-09-23T16:15:43Z

I should have written this part on Sat night but I was falling asleep on the computer -->I didn't go for sat lessons coz i had to end work earliest 6.30pm and lesson was from 5.30-8.30. I figured I would be too distraught to attend class anyway and coming in 2 hours after the start? No thanks.Was on my journey halfway home when my bro called me to tell me to hurry home, and I thought something not right might have happened, and he just said, he didn't know what was IT that happened. Grr.. talk about mastery of being secretive.I'm taking a bus, the time I'll take to reach home depends on the bus driver and the people boarding/alighting isn't it? Hmm. Cute la he!2nd time he called again and I'm about 15 mins away from home. JUST wouldn't tell me what happened.Reached home, and saw a packet of rice on the table - apparently he went to buy rice and bought my share too although I didn't tell him to do so. AWwwwwwwwwwww............ THAT'S the problem!So sweet of him! *melts*Sunday was sooo shack. I know, I'm still awake right now.Had choir in the morning, had to teach the 1st half while the conductor had something to attend (and it was quite rowdy until the conductor came back! Sigh..); [argh! it should be :(]Then went straight for biz law make-up lessons from 2-5pm - I didn't attend the lecture on "mistakes" and we had to write out the principles of the cases which made me feel stressed!Argh.. I don't understand why I can't be open during class like most of my classmates.Like what I told Melly on sat night, "it's like impending doom when he knows our name"I guess he knew how bad I was and hence doesn't ask me questions anymore. Ha~! *yikes! I still have 2 more lessons with him. Shouldn't be saying this too soon!*Already feeling shack, I'm next on my way to teaching.No time for proper lunch, no time to take a break except to sleep on the 1hr journey on my way to students' house.Had to help the mum do some printing because she had to make souvenirs and isn't really tech-savvy, so I was practically using my brain the whole day non-stop.*shaaackkkk*Thank goodness for the ride home, cool weather and nice shower, the energy was regained a little.And now, there goes the remaining energy! *zzzzzz*(That's why my sentences seemed quited unconnected. And the typos and grammatical errors. Gah!)