Last night, I walked home in the rain, on a path along the coast. In my hoodie. The only thing missing was some music - but natural sounds were lovely too.

I just joined postcrossing! My mailbox (physical, not email) is going to be much more interesting now I think. =]

Since today's date is nice

The saddest thing that's happened to me so far this sem is almost all my cacti dying on me =( I think they couldn't take Singapore's erratic climate.

At least Whitman's still around.

"I exist as I am, that is enough,
If no other in the world be aware I sit content,
And if each and all be aware I sit content.

One world is aware, and by far the largest to me, and that is myself,
And whether I come to my own today or in ten thousand or ten million years,
I can cheerfully take it now, or with equal cheerfulness I can wait."

Really, no other 54 pages have had such a grip on me,

not-quite-old school delights

I sent out a bunch of emails to friends overseas. Very excited when I saw the first reply today =]

My friends are awesome and I'm done with essays!

Just two weeks left till exams but right now I'm glad.

I'll never get tired of Whitman

I wish I could blog like her.

He says my article was well-written butI don't know how good his standards are.

Last dregs of a semester that's been swallowed in one burning hot gulp. Wonder what Trelawney would make of my teacup.

Johnnies Gone for a Soldier

I might as well catch the last few minutes of October.

Oh wait, October has 31 days.

I hope I don't regret my decision not to S/U Natural Hazards and Climate Change.

I'm surrounded by a charging iPod, a dying laptop (only 10% left, it warns me), a half dead but stoic phone, an empty bottle, a brochure for a film festival that's over, an essay question that hasn't been started on. And some happysad Celtic music.

I have to resist the temptation to just drop all other work and go finish The God of Small Things.

And I really like the name 'Rahel' - I hope it's pronounced the way I pronounce it. Ruh-hail.

Of all the times to come back here, I choose the night where I have a book to complete by tomorrow morning, an article to do up by tomorrow evening and an essay due the day after. Sheesh.

I really should get your names off my password.

"Humbling was a nice word, Rahel thought. Humbling along without a care in the world"

"They all crossed into forbidden territory. They all tampered with the laws that lay down who should be loved, and how. And how much."

From The God of Small Things

XKCD is so awesome.

after a long time, just to say

"Please believe that I am falling apart.

I am not speaking metaphorically; nor is this the opening gambit of some melodramatic, riddling, grubby appeal for pity. I mean quite simply that I have begun to crack all over like an old jug - that my poor body, singular, unlovely, buffeted by too much history, subjected to drainage above and drainage below, mutilated by doors, brained by spittoons, has started coming apart at the seams. In short, I am literally disintegrating, slowly for the moment, although there are signs of acceleration. I ask you only to accept (as I have accepted) that I shall eventually crumble into (approximately) six hundred and thirty million particles of anonymous, and necessarily oblivious dust. This is why i have decided to confide in paper, before I forget. (We are a nation of forgetters.)"

-Salman Rushdie, Midnight's Children

---------------------------

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion. For most men, it appears to me, are in a strange uncertainty about it, whether it is of the devil or of God, and have somewhat hastily concluded that it is the chief end of man here to "glorify God and enjoy him forever." "

-Henry David Thoreau, Walden; or, Life in the Woods

--------------------------

"More people also crowd into dangerous areas for frivolous reasons. They build homes at the bases or tops of large cliffs for a scenic view, not realising that large portions of the cliffs can give way in landslides or rockfalls. They long to live along edges of sea cliffs where they can enjoy the ocean view, or they want to live along the beach to experience the ocean more intimately. Others build beside rivers that are picturesque or seem soothing. Far too many people build houses in the woods because they enjoy the seclusion and scenery of this natural setting.

Some experts who are concerned with natural catastrophes say that such people have chosen to live in an "idiot zone". People who deliberately choose to live in hazardous areas might as well choose to park their cars on a rarely used railroad track. Trains don't come frequently, but the next one might come any minute."

-Hyndman and Hyndman, Natural Hazards and Disasters, 2nd Ed.

Wait up, July.

Meeting people! That and violin have been topmost on my schedule.

Will be off to two countries in a few days time, and those few days seem so packed, I don't feel like going overseas anymore.




The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber - another show I got to go for. I love my CCA. =]


Am really glad all you overseas people are back!

philosophy for the sweet tooth

FLO RIDAAAAA

Hah, the perks of being a writer.

That was one awesome live performance at Sentosa.

The usual popular songs (Low, In The Ayer, Turn Around, Club Can't Handle Me, etc) plus less popular songs, and his new single.

Free flow of drinks. I managed to stomach a sip of champagne. =D

Crowd-surfing brought him to really close quarters, and if I remember right, he seemed more overwhelmed than the listeners.

He started late, as is customary, and ended in a little over an hour. Which was perfect for me, but of course, others may not agree.

I am now of the opinion that the best music is live.



Am reading A History of the World for Rebels and Somnambulists, which is proving to be a really good read!

"Spring and Fall" - Gerard Manley Hopkins

to a Young Child

Margaret, are you grieving
Over Goldengrove unleaving?
Leaves, like the things of man, you
With your fresh thoughts care for, can you?
Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh
Though worlds of wanwood leafmeal lie;
And yet you will weep know why.
Now no matter, child, the name:
Sorrow’s springs are the same.
Nor mouth had, no nor mind, expressed
What heart heard of, ghost guessed:
It is the blight man was born for,
It is Margaret you mourn for.

_____________________________________________

Margaret mourns her own mortality.

When I first read this poem, the first two lines stuck in my head and I was repeating them for the next few days.

This time, it's the last two lines.

"Mother Nature FTW: I Got You, Bro"

see more Hacked IRL - Truth in Sarcasm

20 days after the exams.

Thank goodness exam results aren't as bad as I feared they'd be, examiners must have been really lenient.

Holidays have been brilliant so far.

A first attempt at pool, rehearsals with a famous music director, a bit of freelance writing, rehearsals for NAC, badminton, friends returning (!!!), a new phone, long bus trips to far-way libraries, cycling to Changi beach and back.

And lots more stuff coming up, like the photography exhibition and Ballet Under The Stars production I get to attend and write reviews on, books I can finally read, friends' birthday parties, meet-ups, The Contemporary (3-day lit seminar), and planning my timetable for next sem. =]

Plus, more friends are returning soon!

3 days into freedom (i plan to jot down what i do everyday. in brief.)

Exams ended on Friday, May 20th. On a very very bad note. =\

Stopped by the library on the way home, borrowed some Marcel Proust, John Green, K.M. Peyton, a. uncensored collection edited by Judy Blume, and some other vague book that had a

nice cover. Walked home from the library, and caught up on some emailing. Dhevy's letter number 3 of 21 arrived and it got me very excited!

Saturday -

Back to practising violin. SIFAS in the afternoon, then Hindi class afterwards, and it's good to be back at it! =]

Sunday -

Major housecleaning. PA in the afternoon, and it's good to be back there too! We watched Shiraz, and I like it though lotsa others said it's boring (because it's in black and white). Sister returned home in the evening, and related her experiences in Bangkok! Heard from Mr Andrew again, who has more writing for me. And SUNDAR IS BACK!

Monday -

Almost went to the Neptune Court office to file a complaint, but decided to gather more information first. Watched Little Miss Sunshine, and I'm so glad Yuvanes recommended it! Lunch plans with the girls tomorrow finalised. And I made it to the Peer Helping Programme, as a confidante! It's a pity I'll be in Indonesia during their training sessions, so I can only join next year. Went cycling after a Zoo Tycoon session, and cycled to Changi Beach for the first time in my life. Took me two hours altogether - there and back again. Legs are going to scream tomorrow. Got a call from Congo!!! Gotta make an overdue call to Sundar now, and start on the Proust book while waiting for a bro.

UI = user interface. AI = umm, artificial intelligence?

(yes, i DID google those)


see more Failbook

Sometimes, I pretend not to know answers, or act dumb, because I don't want people to think I've outgrown them.



"The future's cloudy and it's raining on the poor class
Road to peace is closed heavy traffic on the war paths"

"you ain't gotta flaunt for me"

For the first time ever, I'm tempted to buy a perfume. An Eau De Toilette, to be specific.

All because of the name. I don't even like the design.

I will eventually talk myself outta buying something just for the image (in this case, it isn't even an image, it's a scent, and I'm not going to announce what I'm wearing to everyone I meet).

But then I will think, it isn't for anyone to know, it's for ME to know.

Then I'll go, "You don't need a perfume to define you."

Then I'll agree.

No EDT then I guess.

"du fond de mon coeur." ah darby.

I need to give myself a good talking down now and then

I just realised that I slouch when I'm at the laptop.

I dread to think what the past 1.5years with a laptop have done to my spine already. I need to consciously sit straight, or get a different chair for my table.

=\

Anyway, what with Macbeth at Fort Canning, The Royal Wedding and Students' Nite all in one week, it's easy to forget that I still have TWO essays to write before exams. WHICH ARE ONLY A LITTLE MORE THAN A WEEK AWAY.

You wanted a 4.6 didn't you.

It's true you took on a lot this sem. Maximum number of courses possible and all of them core subjects, Vice-Pres of one CCA, Hindi classes, gym membership, and the usual music school stuff.

Doesn't look like that much when you put it down on paper huh.

And yes, you don't stay on campus. But so what. Some people live all the way in Pasir Ris.

You're only doing a second major, not a second degree. Stop blaming your workload and get that GPA you want already.

Thank You, Lupe.

TO EVERY MAN, WOMAN & CHILD | WE WANT AN END TO THE GLAMORIZATION OF NEGATIVITY IN THE MEDIA | WE WANT AN END TO STATUS SYMBOLS DICTATING OUR WORTH AS INDIVIDUALS | WE WANT A MEANINGFUL AND UNIVERSAL EDUCATION SYSTEM | WE WANT SUBSTANCE IN THE PLACE OF POPULARITY | WE WILL NOT COMPROMISE WHO WE ARE TO BE ACCEPTED BY THE CROWD | WE WANT THE INVISIBLE WALLS THAT SEPARATE BY WEALTH, RACE & CLASS TO BE TORN DOWN | WE WANT TO THINK OUR OWN THOUGHTS | WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT | WE WANT CLARITY & TRUTH FROM OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS OR THEY SHOULD MOVE ASIDE | WE WANT LOVE NOT LIES | WE WANT AN END TO ALL WARS FOREIGN & DOMESTIC VIOLENCE | WE WANT AN END TO THE PROCESSED CULTURE OF EXPLOITATION, OVER-CONSUMPTION & WASTE | WE WANT KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING & PEACE | WE WILL NOT LOSE BECAUSE WE ARE NOT LOSERS, WE ARE LASERS | LASERS ARE THE OPPOSITE OF LOSERS | LASERS ARE SHINING BEAMS OF LIGHT THAT BURN THROUGH THE DARKNESS OF IGNORANCE | LASERS SHED LIGHT ON INJUSTICE AND INEQUALITY | LOSERS STAND BY AND LET THINGS HAPPEN TO THEM | LASERS ACT AND SHAPE THEIR OWN DESTINIES | LASERS FIND MEANING AND DIRECTION IN THE MYSTERIES ALL AROUND THEM | LASERS STAND FOR LOVE AND COMPASSION | LASERS STAND FOR PEACE | LASERS STAND FOR PROGRESSION | LASERS ARE REVOLUTIONARY | LASERS ARE THE FUTURE

Tonight is legendary!

For the first time in 4 semesters, I have completed an essay more than 5 hours before the deadline. In fact, it's 14.5 hours before the deadline!

I am a ready, willing and happy victim tonight, Sleep.

Young Vader

and another

Source: etsy.com via Natalie on Pinterest

from an awesome site - link below

Source: polyvore.com via Natalie on Pinterest

The Loneliest Whale in the World

Something HF shared with me:

From jonathan carroll's blog (and somewhere in tumblr)

A comment from a 2004 article by the New York Times about the loneliest whale in the world. Scientists have been tracking her since 1992 and they discovered the problem: She isn’t like any other baleen whale. Unlike all other whales, she doesn’t have friends. She doesn’t have a family. She doesn’t belong to any tribe, pack or gang. She doesn’t have a lover. She never had one. Her songs come in groups of two to six calls, lasting for five to six seconds each. But her voice is unlike any other baleen whale. It is unique—while the rest of her kind communicate between 12 and 25hz, she sings at 51.75hz. You see, that’s precisely the problem. No other whales can hear her. Every one of her desperate calls to communicate remains unanswered. Each cry ignored. And, with every lonely song, she becomes sadder and more frustrated, her notes going deeper in despair as the years go by.

I think that just broke my heart.

Plays and Players

I think I messed up my PHP (peer helping programme) interview yesterday, they didn't look particularly impressed. I did have a great view from the top of the hill, where the Student Services Centre is though!

Epiphany rehearsal again last night, like Tuesday. Until 10.45pm or so. The plays are coming together really well =] It feels great being in the Black Box with so many different groups rehearsing and putting so much effort into this. And J better keep my iPod safe and not shuffle his feet =D

Managed to go catch the first half of the first DVD of LOTR, The Return of the King, Extended Edition. The scenes I haven't seen before are amazing! And really funny =D

So after rehearsal, I rushed off, and reached Vasu uncle's house at around 12.15am, to watch the second half or so of the semi-final match! India vs Pakistan; epic. Afridi has my respect, and Misbah is really sneakeh! And I have a small problem with the Indians' fielding.

Oh and Prof Y recommended my name as one of the HSS Ambassadors, I got the confirmation call today! Is this an exciting sem or what!

Final day of shooting for HL303 presentation today! A puppet version of A Christmas Carol, on film. This is one of the most memorable, fun projects I've ever been in! Can't wait to see the final product tomorrow.

Tomorrow is also Theatre Night 2! Wow it's going to be done so fast.

I can't wait to start preparing for EcoVenture 2011, Indonesia!

Made it to EcoVenture!!

To people who keep stopping me near MRT stations

I respect your beliefs, but stop trying to convert me! Isn't it enough that I hear you out, when everyone else ignores you?

I hate that they use rhetoric to try and get me on their side. They're YOUR beliefs, not "our beliefs", and stop assuming my disgust for certain groups of people just because they transgress YOUR views.

And why do they never understand that my life is in perfect order? I'm definitely not in desperate need of help. I agree when you talk about natural disasters happening frequently, but that does NOT mean I fear death and what happens after (if something does happen).

I can respect your views only because of the beliefs I hold and was born into, so there's no way I'm ever going to switch to your camp, especially if it claims to be the only right way.

Thank you and good day =]

Hindi Lessons and how'magonna survive this sem

I started Hindi classes yesterday! With my sister, under Shiva. Really hope I can stick with it. LitFest next week - and I think the exhibition may have to be scrapped. So many people have started on essay outlines and stuff, and I haven't even looked at the questions yet/ finished reading all the texts yet. YOU WANTED A 4.6 THIS SEMESTER REMEMBERRRRR? Preeti's party! =] OH and Ecoventure interview tomorrow! There's overwhelming response, according to them. Just what are the chances =\

I just listened to a Master

T. N. KRISHNAN CONCERT! O_O

I'm speechl-




(I regain momentary control of my voice to say, F.A.M.E. is in Singapore! =D )

The things you learn at Uni

Lichee can identify who I am over the phone from the way I laugh! =D

Also, if I did Jazzband in, it would be homiecide.

Aaaaaaand, recess is done.

Eventful week, I must say.

Monday - Powercycling with Bhuva at Suntec. =]
Tuesday - Indie trail with Hui Fang! pictures soon.
Wednesday - Clearing piles of books on the floor, violin class, rehearsal with dancers, start of Music Festival concerts!
Thursday - Planning for Saturday's party. Mixtape-making! And finally, new sneakers =D
Friday - Rushing to start homework/where did the week go. Happened to catch an episode of Supernatural on TV! Dance by Rama Vaidyanathan at Esplanade Theatre.
Saturday -

Dharini's house for final rehearsal and changing attire. Back to SIFAS at 7.30pm, concert began at 8.30. Went alright, according to others. Playing for the dancers went alright too. Took ages for everything to end, finally managed to leave, cab home, and rush to Goldkist Resort for Saranya's chalet! Made it there before midnight. Played games/talked/met people I hadn't met for a long time till 4am, then Ganesh and I walked Sus and Sarah out to Marine Parade. Not feeling sleepy, we were wandering around the room, when we were joined by Saranya. Walked out to admire the beach at night, and recreated Dobby's tombstone in the sand =] Talked till it was past 5am, then I decided that I should get some sleep. Vaishu joined S and G after that, while I caught an hour or so of sleep on the mattress we brought down from the room upstairs and crowded on. At 6plus, the others returned from their stroll, and Lincon suggested we go watch the sunrise. So we went out again, with Vaishu, and sat on a steep breakwater admiring the huge moon and faint sunlight. =] nothing very pretty, but it was still worth it. Came back to the chalet after 7, where I caught another 20 minutes of sleep, before leaving at 7.30am for home. Pushpa left with me too but the others were still asleep.

Had intentions of starting on my work after a shower, but a short nap after the shower became deep sleep =\

Sunday - Fadilah's BBQ party! And the long walk there because I underestimated the distance.. Sorry HF!

And now, what was all that work I'd planned to do over the hols?...

RECESS IS HERE

And to celebrate, I went to the bookshop, found those scrap pieces of paper you test pens on, and wrote random messages to anyone who happens to read them.

Thoughts as I rush my HL203 essay

1. Thank goodness this has a small word limit.
2. I wish I were a MACHINE OF CREATIVITY that would churn out awesome, subjective, personal literature. -raises eyebrows-
3. Aren't actors and actresses ever scared that they'll get stuck in a role?
4. One more day till recess HUZZAH.

"Four for the kids that don't wanna be there"

Somehow, Darby found my unused Facebook account that I had to get for COM253 last semester. Once once he did, Djo, Ousmane, Patrick and Chyening found me too.

I didn't have the heart to ignore their friend invites, so now I'm using FB for the YOG folks.

Sighhhhh.

LASERS IS OUT TOMORROW, FINALLYYYYY

Heartlanders are really awesome!

I had to interview them for my news report assignment, and most of them (especially the youngsters) are really nice and friendly and helpful. At least, at the area I was exploring - the HDB blocks at Pioneer MRT and Boon Lay MRT. For one, there was the guy who walked me to Pioneer Mall instead of just givin me directions, and there was the group of people who gave me a lot of interview material and wished me luck for the assignment =]

A lot of them donated $10 bills to a street performer at JP - I don't recall seeing such generosity at Parkway Parade. I hardly recall seeing many street performers at all.

You get your fair share of rude people as well though, not to mention how my article was about groups of teenagers creating a ruckus at void decks at night. But the overall attitude of the people is different from the attitude of the people where I live.

As Dean Moriarty would say, they've got "IT".

Austen and Shakespeare

Something to look back on with incredulity and a faint sense of pride.

It's been a long while huh.

I get distracted sometimes, when I'm watching a movie, cos my mind wanders away, picking up on something or some word in the film, and I have to keep rewinding to see what happened. Especially if it's in a foreign language.

Hiroshima Mon Amour was brilliant, it made me think so much I had to rewind 4 times.

"So raise your glass if you are wrong, in all the right ways"

Just filled in a survey online, and paused before filling my age in as 20.

Why is 21 supposed to be such a special year?

Anyway, Epiphany stuff is starting up, and I've got to write that article for ArtJam by Saturday. Looks like an exciting sem ahead; I just wish my courses were finalised.

Exam results came out on Tuesday, after a torturous wait, and though my GPA dropped drastically from last semester, CGPA is still about the same, and I still did better than my first sem ever, so I'm not complaining, given how I thought it would definitely drop below 4. I'm actually quite pleased, because I thought COM201 and 203 would have butchered me.

With help from Jon, I now know what kinda grades I have to achieve now onwards if I'm to have that first class honours - 4.6 every semester. That's what I got last sem, but I didn't have the second major then.. CMON CMON CMONNN. Please no violin this year?

Also, gym sessions are going to reduce drastically from next week, once uni starts.

"Yeah I think you're cute but really you should know

I just came to say hello."

Okay, I sent my first letter to D.R. Congo yesterday. Mum says I shouldn't count on it reaching safely. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Told Darby to write back, so I guess I'll know if it reached. Assuming his letter reaches me.

When it's all said and done, I still love the fact that I can't use the internet to communicate with them. =]

I finally got around to watching A Walk To Remember. I think I like Jamie Sullivan's character. But I can imagine how reading the book it's based on would be torture.

"someday we'll know."

"And you think there's not enough love,
And no one to give it to."

good convos.

so cool! haha shreya please don't lose too much weight k, you are cool the way you are

...or put on too much weight either haha in terms of muscle

that would be frekay

:P

------

And the awesome cleverbot is really cool. Words in bold are Cleverbot's.

I'm Doug.
if you were dough, i would love you
I am real, though. Does that mean that you love me? (wow, nice wordplay, Cleverbot.)
without a doubt.
Can't believe a word.

The geese are going to operate on you?
i heard it was the ganders.
With the candlestick in the study?
rosebud
You know that maks no sense.

do you like chris brown?
No. I like you.
i like chris brown though
In what way do you like Chris Brown?
i love chris brown's music
Me too! You're my new best friend.
i'm glad:). so do you like chris brown?
I know not of whom you speak.

Never!
nom
Wrong.
omnomnom
Cookie nom?
Exactlyyyyyyy

What are you?
a pixie
You're a pirate?
arrrr
Arrr.

Also, if yesterday's skype convo with RnB was down in writing, I would copy-paste the whole thing here... And no one would understand it anyway.

I should be able to write "2011" without thinking by.. June, hopefully.

No, that's not my resolution. I don't have any resolutions.

So I started the trial period for gym last Tuesday. Had the trial PT session on Wednesday, and decided to sign up for real on Thursday. Hugeee investment, hope I use it well.

Friday was my first session with my trainer, who just about made me kill my triceps. Saturday found me unable to move my arms. I applied copious amounts of axe oil to prepare them for Sunday, and to my immense relief, they were alright on Sunday morning. Just in time for my second session.

My trainer is a great person to work with; that's a relief.

I NEED TO GET STARTED ON ALL THE THINGS I WANTED TO DO IN THE HOLIDAYS.

Also, Sundar and Sneha are back! =] Guitar Hero and Halo today, I honestly enjoyed Halo better. My profile name was thangachi, Hasinah's was indians, Lincon's was an ne and Thiru's was akka. HAHAHA. That made the game a whole lot funnier! And lots of fun at KFC and the arcade later.

I realise that if I insist on staying away from FB, I've got to put more effort into keeping in touch with friends. I had no idea G was attached! Good for you, friend =]

A bunch of grapes calls. Till next time.