Jamie and I talked about dreams today. Not the nocturnal kind, but the ones that your idols are made of. My idol of the day/month/year have so far range widely from the great cook/activist Jamie Oliver, my uni Geography lecturer, and ER actor Anthony Edwards for his real-life role in helping kids.
It was my dream to go to Canada or the U.S to do a thesis in Geography after I graduated. I still remember, McGill in Montreal, and 2 others I applied in the US. While the rest of my peers were perfecting their resumes and going for interviews, I was baby-sitting a class of naughty P2 ACS boys and mugging hard for my GRE. It must be a laspe of bad memory that I found myself negotiating my salary for my first job. I did go to Montreal and US, but as a happy tourist as I walked around the grounds of dreams that I had to leave aside for. Dreams, I told myself, can wait.
Now, as I stand at the crossroads contemplating an accounting career in Melbourne, I cannot help but to withdraw my imaginary measuring tape, and figure out how far I have deviated from my dreams.
Funny how Jamie asked,"Is it possible to go back to pursuing it?" It kind of left me momentarily wondering. "Maybe when I'm retired and bored". But then, am I not likely to be pandering to 2 cats, tending to my herbs and visiting my grandkids at that age?
For those interested in why the lament, my days in Singapore are numbered once again, and academic days end in 4 months. I need to know where I'll like to be, and what I'll do.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Saturday, January 21, 2006
This One Really Cracked Us Up
According to the Times Higher Education Supplement, The University of Melbourne is ranked 22 internationally. I'm not a ranking guru, but can say with a 99% confidence that one of those criteria used was 'Staff's Humour'. I've sat through numerous classes where humour usually borders sacarsm, so those cannot be considered in pure academic integrity. After all, you are talking about 75% foreign students, out of which, 50% come from a country whose first nor second nor the nth language of instruction is not english.
The Background:
This summer's Business Finance course is on and the exam is stated to be on 14 Feb (Valentines Day) and a student emailed her concerns to the lecturer and this is the reply... mass mailed to all students...
The Email Exchange:
Student: Excuse me, can we shift our exam time one day earlieron Feburary 13th? It’s valentine's day on Feburary 14th.
thanks for regard!
happy new year and best wishes!
Lecturer:
Dear Li,
This is such an important question that I felt that it would be important to answer to all students who may be affected by the very serious predicament of an exam being held on the morning of Valentines Day. Hence:
Dear all students (and especially those who may be romantically involved with another),
In setting the exam date for corporate finance I thought long and hard about the impact of it coinciding with Valentines Day. Would exam preparation be affected by shopping for perfume, flowers or the latest Anthony Callea cd? What about young lovers who planned on meeting for an early morning latte, a sugar-coated biscotti and a sharing of the Age's Epicure section at Brunetti's? Isn't life hard enough without having all the joy of the international day of lovers taken away by some cold-hearted academic eager to finish the exam period off and get to his summer chalet in Dromana? For who was I to stand in the way of young love, for wasn't I also young once?
With grim resolve, steely determination, a stiff upper lip, a hand of fate, a nose for trouble, a tennis elbow and an eye for detail I put forward my claim on behalf of the lovestruck to the Grand Poobah of exam timetabling: "He-who-must-not-be-named-but-who-enjoys-setting-exams-for-large-classes-late-in-the-exam-period-so-as-to-frustrate-lecturers-in-charge".
In his infinite wisdom he replied:
"But Sean, what of our students of Italian, Chinese or Brazilian origin? For surely you know that in ancient Rome it was the festival of Lupercus, the god of fertility that was celebrated by young lovers on the 15th (not the 14th) of February. In China, Valentines day is superceded by "The Night of Sevens" (being the 7th day of the 7th month of the lunar calender) and in Brazil, June 12th marks the date of celebrating "Dia dos Namorados" (lit. "Day of the enamored", or "Boyfriend's/Girlfriend's Day"). Surely my friend, you are not suggesting that we alienate young lovers from each of these other important members of the university community?" [Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine's_Day]
So, with head bowed and with great contrition I apologised to "He-who-must-not etc" for interrupting his musings on whether to set the next lot of the exams under the clocks at Flinders Street Station, in the Great Southern Stand at the MCG or in the roundabout on the corner of Elizabeth street and Royal Parade and returned to my office.
Students, and (specifically Li) know this: I fought law and the law won, you have to know when to hold and know when to fold them, love is a battlefield. Now it is up to you to put it behind you, to show that true love can't be beaten by a three hour exam, even with an additional 15 minutes reading time.
Study hard friends.
Dr Sean "No-problem-too-small-(apparently)" Pinder
(Disclaimer: No offense to Dr Pinder, who opened my eyes to the world of finance, and kept me effectively wide awake for 3 hours every week)
The Background:
This summer's Business Finance course is on and the exam is stated to be on 14 Feb (Valentines Day) and a student emailed her concerns to the lecturer and this is the reply... mass mailed to all students...
The Email Exchange:
Student: Excuse me, can we shift our exam time one day earlieron Feburary 13th? It’s valentine's day on Feburary 14th.
thanks for regard!
happy new year and best wishes!
Lecturer:
Dear Li,
This is such an important question that I felt that it would be important to answer to all students who may be affected by the very serious predicament of an exam being held on the morning of Valentines Day. Hence:
Dear all students (and especially those who may be romantically involved with another),
In setting the exam date for corporate finance I thought long and hard about the impact of it coinciding with Valentines Day. Would exam preparation be affected by shopping for perfume, flowers or the latest Anthony Callea cd? What about young lovers who planned on meeting for an early morning latte, a sugar-coated biscotti and a sharing of the Age's Epicure section at Brunetti's? Isn't life hard enough without having all the joy of the international day of lovers taken away by some cold-hearted academic eager to finish the exam period off and get to his summer chalet in Dromana? For who was I to stand in the way of young love, for wasn't I also young once?
With grim resolve, steely determination, a stiff upper lip, a hand of fate, a nose for trouble, a tennis elbow and an eye for detail I put forward my claim on behalf of the lovestruck to the Grand Poobah of exam timetabling: "He-who-must-not-be-named-but-who-enjoys-setting-exams-for-large-classes-late-in-the-exam-period-so-as-to-frustrate-lecturers-in-charge".
In his infinite wisdom he replied:
"But Sean, what of our students of Italian, Chinese or Brazilian origin? For surely you know that in ancient Rome it was the festival of Lupercus, the god of fertility that was celebrated by young lovers on the 15th (not the 14th) of February. In China, Valentines day is superceded by "The Night of Sevens" (being the 7th day of the 7th month of the lunar calender) and in Brazil, June 12th marks the date of celebrating "Dia dos Namorados" (lit. "Day of the enamored", or "Boyfriend's/Girlfriend's Day"). Surely my friend, you are not suggesting that we alienate young lovers from each of these other important members of the university community?" [Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine's_Day]
So, with head bowed and with great contrition I apologised to "He-who-must-not etc" for interrupting his musings on whether to set the next lot of the exams under the clocks at Flinders Street Station, in the Great Southern Stand at the MCG or in the roundabout on the corner of Elizabeth street and Royal Parade and returned to my office.
Students, and (specifically Li) know this: I fought law and the law won, you have to know when to hold and know when to fold them, love is a battlefield. Now it is up to you to put it behind you, to show that true love can't be beaten by a three hour exam, even with an additional 15 minutes reading time.
Study hard friends.
Dr Sean "No-problem-too-small-(apparently)" Pinder
(Disclaimer: No offense to Dr Pinder, who opened my eyes to the world of finance, and kept me effectively wide awake for 3 hours every week)
Thursday, January 19, 2006
It's Chinese New Year Season!
I carry a mobile phone for the wrong reasons. Other than using it to listen to music and take pictures for the blog, I usually keep it turned off. That's because it also not my local line.
Went with mum to Chinatown to soak in the atmosphere, and half-pretending to shop around like a curious tourist. Usually you'll have to harrass me to come down during this season to jostle with the crowd, but being away for 2 years just makes you shed away all the age old biases you have for a place, and start to look at it with newfound curiousity.
It's also my horrible excuse to drag mum to my favourite dumpling shop at the end of the jaunt.
Tickets to Krabi are going for a ridiculous low price, and after ten rounds of email, we're deciding on fishing and wine instead.
On the Melbourne front, Daiz is helping with the inspections and applications (muuuuak!) and I'm the armchair apartment searcher. One application is already in, and I'm praying reeeeal hard. It'll be a first if we get it- first inspection and securing it. I'll be secretly laughing.
The Chinese New Year lights in Chinatown
Went with mum to Chinatown to soak in the atmosphere, and half-pretending to shop around like a curious tourist. Usually you'll have to harrass me to come down during this season to jostle with the crowd, but being away for 2 years just makes you shed away all the age old biases you have for a place, and start to look at it with newfound curiousity.
It's also my horrible excuse to drag mum to my favourite dumpling shop at the end of the jaunt.
Tickets to Krabi are going for a ridiculous low price, and after ten rounds of email, we're deciding on fishing and wine instead.
On the Melbourne front, Daiz is helping with the inspections and applications (muuuuak!) and I'm the armchair apartment searcher. One application is already in, and I'm praying reeeeal hard. It'll be a first if we get it- first inspection and securing it. I'll be secretly laughing.
The Chinese New Year lights in Chinatown
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Catties Everywhere!
While most people stop to smell the flowers, I stop to pat a couple of cute kitties along the Singapore River yesterday. Was on my way out of Fullerton Hotel to meet a friend, I saw the cutest pair of lazy cats sleeping on a raised platform with the bum-boat driver. It was a warm afternoon, but those cats paid no attention to the tourists who were quietly amused with them sprawling across what is meant for people whose feet needed a rest after their afternoon saunter.
I was pretty excited, knowing that the fake bronze kucintas sit about 100m away. "Could this be the work of STB to try to make things a little more realistic?"... my catty fren (she's not catty, she just own cats) said it's not. Sigh...
I sat with the ginger cat, stroking him for 20 mins before I could tear myself off him.
There are 2 cats in this pic.
I was pretty excited, knowing that the fake bronze kucintas sit about 100m away. "Could this be the work of STB to try to make things a little more realistic?"... my catty fren (she's not catty, she just own cats) said it's not. Sigh...
I sat with the ginger cat, stroking him for 20 mins before I could tear myself off him.
There are 2 cats in this pic.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Re-pierced ears
The last time I pierced my ears, it was in the moment of impulse. It was during JC days, and I was shopping around with a friend and we decided to get our ears pierced. However, we had a crazy rambo-like PE teacher who didn't allow earrings during her PE classes, so I had to take it out. Soon after, I had the momentary thought that my ears were too big, so I let the holes close.
Take it couple of years later, I finally decided to celebrate the new year with a re-pierce. Strange it felt more scary this time, which I'll lamely attribute to age. By the way, trust no one when they say it feels like an 'ant bite', because how many of us urbanites have ever been bitten by an ant? By the way, since they never ever specify what type of ant, it can be as fierce as a fire ant bite.
But all in all, I can now look forward to wearing the pair of pearl earrings that the cell group posted to me.
Found a dress for Olivia's wedding, yippee! I'm still obsessed over a pair of silver strappy heels.
Going to have my favourite prawn noodles tomorrow, heavenly.... Actually I don't really bother about the noodles or the prawns, but the orange colour soup is a must; I'm anal about it.
Before sleep beckons, I'm going to catch Lost Episode 10! Maybe if I'm evil enough, I should write a spoiler, because I know there are some fans out there reading this.
Take it couple of years later, I finally decided to celebrate the new year with a re-pierce. Strange it felt more scary this time, which I'll lamely attribute to age. By the way, trust no one when they say it feels like an 'ant bite', because how many of us urbanites have ever been bitten by an ant? By the way, since they never ever specify what type of ant, it can be as fierce as a fire ant bite.
But all in all, I can now look forward to wearing the pair of pearl earrings that the cell group posted to me.
Found a dress for Olivia's wedding, yippee! I'm still obsessed over a pair of silver strappy heels.
Going to have my favourite prawn noodles tomorrow, heavenly.... Actually I don't really bother about the noodles or the prawns, but the orange colour soup is a must; I'm anal about it.
Before sleep beckons, I'm going to catch Lost Episode 10! Maybe if I'm evil enough, I should write a spoiler, because I know there are some fans out there reading this.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Cameron Highlands
It was a deja vu weekend with 'The Tribe', a group of ex-colleagues who shared many great moments and trips together. The annual tribe meeting saw us going to Cameron Highlands in West Malaysia, about 2 hours drive northwards from KL. The 12-hour rainy trip up proved to me that I am no longer young, the high-pitched screeching of the window wipers kept me awake most of the time.
For the next 2 days, we indulged in a rather educational tour of endless farms, nurseries, plantations in the day, and steamboat dinners, durian at the night markets and hot chocolate at night. It brought back great memories of the trips we took to the kelong, Langkawi, Bangkok, and although some of us have left the job, the quirkiness of all of us remains.
Times like these make me feel like remaining back home, but precious are the times that are spent in quality, and too much will render things mundane. That makes time spent with family and friends more meaningful, knowing that it'll be time to say goodbye again.
It took me one month to complete meeting up with most of my friends, and now I'm back to slack mode again. Getting ready to return in feb, got to buy the textbooks, psych myself up for sandwich lunches, short daylights and car-less days.
Vines of Tomatoes
For the next 2 days, we indulged in a rather educational tour of endless farms, nurseries, plantations in the day, and steamboat dinners, durian at the night markets and hot chocolate at night. It brought back great memories of the trips we took to the kelong, Langkawi, Bangkok, and although some of us have left the job, the quirkiness of all of us remains.
Times like these make me feel like remaining back home, but precious are the times that are spent in quality, and too much will render things mundane. That makes time spent with family and friends more meaningful, knowing that it'll be time to say goodbye again.
It took me one month to complete meeting up with most of my friends, and now I'm back to slack mode again. Getting ready to return in feb, got to buy the textbooks, psych myself up for sandwich lunches, short daylights and car-less days.
Vines of Tomatoes
Thursday, January 05, 2006
The self-deluded... or plain liar?
Are jerks capable of being nice?
I have a friend who's co-worker is a well-loved guy in this country. In a newspaper article we uncovered, we read that his previous relationships all lasted less then a year. While we savour the gossip, we both held our silence about how good a person he is, or at least, as a boyfriend.
I have been reading another friend's blog without him knowing. It's quite harrowing because he's a self-confessed jerk, has shown qualities of one, and to my knowledge, has been one. Yet in this infrequent blog entries, he writes his heatfelt feelings about the plight of the poor, the sick and the needy. I can't say he's writing this to impress, because his blog is largely unpublicised, but I cannot seem to reconcile which is the true him.
Which leaves me to conclude.... are these people self-deluded or just plain wolf in sheep's clothing? Or can jerks be nice too?
I have a friend who's co-worker is a well-loved guy in this country. In a newspaper article we uncovered, we read that his previous relationships all lasted less then a year. While we savour the gossip, we both held our silence about how good a person he is, or at least, as a boyfriend.
I have been reading another friend's blog without him knowing. It's quite harrowing because he's a self-confessed jerk, has shown qualities of one, and to my knowledge, has been one. Yet in this infrequent blog entries, he writes his heatfelt feelings about the plight of the poor, the sick and the needy. I can't say he's writing this to impress, because his blog is largely unpublicised, but I cannot seem to reconcile which is the true him.
Which leaves me to conclude.... are these people self-deluded or just plain wolf in sheep's clothing? Or can jerks be nice too?
Sunday, January 01, 2006
As the world lay silent
Happy New Year!
Sitting at the pews of the watchnight service, I couldn't help feeling a little gleeful about bidding farewell to 2005. It was not the worse year, but it was divided into a great half and a depressing other half. Like a promising-looking cake with a burnt bottom, it was hard to dump, yet you know keeping it there would hardly serve any purpose.
So while I have not made any new year's resolution, I can only joyfully believe that 2006 is only going to be better, or at least, clearer. The good thing about growing one year older is that you know you move further away from the crossroads, into a path where things are much more focused.
Since I've came home, I've only had dinner at home twice. Which makes me wonder what the world have I been doing...
Things I'll love to do and have done:
1) Feasted on durians
2) Went to Chomp Chomp and conquered the wanton mee, chwee kueh and sting ray all in one sitting.
3) Had tonnes of teh terik in Simpang Bedok, Tampines, Adam Road, Bedok Army Camp...
4) Shopped from 2pm to 10pm
5) Talk to my cat to death
6) Change my clothes 3 times a day and not having to worry who's washing and ironing.
7) Finished 10 vcds within a span of 24 hours
Things that I'll love to do and have not done:
1) Jog from Kembangan to East Coast Park and thereafter to Parkway to have a nice fruit juice
2) Have a picnic at the beach
3) Bring the cat for a walk and plant some catnip for him
4) Have kaya roti breakfast with friends (if i can even wake up)
5) Seafood! (I don't care where and what kind)
For those who are like me, either slacking behind those screen of yours, yes, you who is seemingly looking busy at work, check out http://home.planet.nl/~Qwyzzle, thanks to Yuan who decided to ruin a major part of my holiday by sending me this.
Write me on my blog when you reach Level 20 or 30. I swear there's a level 100... so don't start it if you do not have the patience (or brains.. hahhaha).
Cheerios, and hope your new year will be filled with Hope, Faith and Love.
Sitting at the pews of the watchnight service, I couldn't help feeling a little gleeful about bidding farewell to 2005. It was not the worse year, but it was divided into a great half and a depressing other half. Like a promising-looking cake with a burnt bottom, it was hard to dump, yet you know keeping it there would hardly serve any purpose.
So while I have not made any new year's resolution, I can only joyfully believe that 2006 is only going to be better, or at least, clearer. The good thing about growing one year older is that you know you move further away from the crossroads, into a path where things are much more focused.
Since I've came home, I've only had dinner at home twice. Which makes me wonder what the world have I been doing...
Things I'll love to do and have done:
1) Feasted on durians
2) Went to Chomp Chomp and conquered the wanton mee, chwee kueh and sting ray all in one sitting.
3) Had tonnes of teh terik in Simpang Bedok, Tampines, Adam Road, Bedok Army Camp...
4) Shopped from 2pm to 10pm
5) Talk to my cat to death
6) Change my clothes 3 times a day and not having to worry who's washing and ironing.
7) Finished 10 vcds within a span of 24 hours
Things that I'll love to do and have not done:
1) Jog from Kembangan to East Coast Park and thereafter to Parkway to have a nice fruit juice
2) Have a picnic at the beach
3) Bring the cat for a walk and plant some catnip for him
4) Have kaya roti breakfast with friends (if i can even wake up)
5) Seafood! (I don't care where and what kind)
For those who are like me, either slacking behind those screen of yours, yes, you who is seemingly looking busy at work, check out http://home.planet.nl/~Qwyzzle, thanks to Yuan who decided to ruin a major part of my holiday by sending me this.
Write me on my blog when you reach Level 20 or 30. I swear there's a level 100... so don't start it if you do not have the patience (or brains.. hahhaha).
Cheerios, and hope your new year will be filled with Hope, Faith and Love.