Love Actually

Because Xmas is fast approaching and love is in the air, I'm feeling particularly generous tonight to feed you with random blog contributions. Do you remember back in 1994 “I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes, love is all around me and so the feeling grows ... " *EWWW* now but I admit that I certainly did not feel like *ew* back then. C'mon the mid 90s for girls of my age WAS wet wet wet’s Love Is All Around. I remember feeling faint when Robert, a guy I had a crush on, belted out this number with a guitar on stage. I’ve always had a thing for guys with guitars. Read: HAD a thing. *Laugh out loud* I think every girl enjoys a romantic comedy every now and then. I was checking out the website of Love Actually, great show, funny I loved it ‘cos it was the only decent show which kept me company for 2 hours when I was in the air for like forever on my way to the Big Apple. Above is a treat for some of my friends who are into, not guitar playing boys but charming English boys complete with the shit accent. *duck* Colin Firth.

Elitism

Words of wisdom from Oscar Wilde to people who believe that their distinctions somehow guarantee them success: "I am but too conscious of the fact that we are born in an age when only the dull are treated seriously, and I live in terror of not being misunderstood. Don't degrade me into the position of giving you useful information. Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught. "

Cumulus

Inspired by a friend's post, I decided to share one of my all time fav shot taken from a plane courtesy of Flora, the budding photographer. I've always been fascinated by clouds, as a child and even now. One of the reasons why I prefer buses to underground trains is because I can stare at the clouds when I'm in a bus. In Latin, Cumulus means "heap" These clouds usually look like heaps of cotton balls or whipped cream. I can't make up my mind as to whether these clouds pictured above are classified as Cumulus or Cirrus. Cirrus means "curl" and they are high wispy clouds made of ice. It is said that even in summer cirrus clouds are made of ice as it is cold high above the earth. Any cloud experts? *Update* These clouds do not look like high clouds and are certainly not wispy. I hereby conclude that they are of the cumulus type.

Christmas is ALL about giving

My XMAS wishlist

1. Canon Ixus I-zoom Why would i want to pay that much for a camera when i can get a better (read: also bulky) one for the same price? so that it fits into my EVERY bag! *duh* 2. ZARA velvety jacket in deep purple *inhale* every gal needs one of those 3. An APPLE I-Book Notice I love gadgets with "I" in 'em. I do not have expensive taste. Could have asked for a powerbook ... 4. A bunch of wild flowers They look good even if they're hanged upside down. 5. Chunky bead-y accesories. 6. Chunky sunglasses *word of the day* CHUNK 7. AMRITA spa vouchers How can I forget facials, manicure and pedicure? Be a princess. 8. A handwritten letter / card Who gets these nowadays huh? Don't you miss it? I know I do

*To be updated*

"One may say the eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility" ~Albert Einstein

(Left) One of our presentation slides. Grant sat in for our presentation for one of our assessments on the "content analysis" of newspaper stories (both local and foreign) of Nguyen Tuong Van, the Australian of Vietnamese descent who was executed on Friday 02 Dec 05. Among other stuf, We looked at how sensationalized the media reports were / are down under. Nguyen's execution coincided with the United States marking a grim milestone with its 1000th execution that took place in North Carolina. Many of us argued why is it that Singapore was made out to be a 1st world country with 3rd world laws when the United States, one of Australia's key allies AND a first world one at that, still carries out Capital punishment. It was an interesting research project, similar to one we did last year on the Russian school siege. Grant was one of the 2 lecturers who arrived frm RMIT Uni in Melbourne to take us for a Comms Research module for the last intensive 2.5 wks. Grant is a good lecturer who succeeds in keeping us all engaged in his lecture by sharing his family blogs and sarcastic humor. In response to one of my classmates, to whether we should research just print media or both electronic and print for an assignment, he responded, "for the sake of your sanity pls ..."

Random rant

Punggol Park for the North Easterner who thirsts for some peace. "A day without laughter is a day wasted." ~Charlie Chaplin

facial hair and bull run

Grant gave us a random example of a hypothesis earlier this evening. He said during a bull-fighting event, it was observed that very often, the men who are supposed to fight the bulls are seen with a fair amount of facial hair. Then research was made and it was found that facial hair grows faster in jittery males. Grant is one of the 2 lecturers from RMIT who conduct lectures on the “Approaches to Communication research”. We were doing Qualitative Analysis today. Speaking of bull fights, I was reminded of Pamplona which was made famous by Ernest Hemingway. He wrote about the annual running of the bulls in “The Sun Also Rises”. We were staying near the old town hall where there were many beautiful cafeterias. One of which was frequented by Hemingway when he was in Pamplona. It had a very art-nouveau feel to it. Everything seemed surreal. I loved Spain and Pamplona was one of my favorite places. Pamplona, i remember it for its pretty and quiet streets (not during the annual bull run, of course!), quaint shops and rainy weather. i also remember standing on top of hill overlooking the Pyrenees (in France). Pamplona's Tapas, snacks that come along with drinks, are called Pinchos. Every pincho is a work of art.

Works of Art, do you think?

DainBramaged

Everyday in the life of a woman is a conflict, a mighty battle between what we want and what we get if we leave it up to others to decide. I seem to LOVE getting myself into trouble. First I decided to take leave 2 days before the paper of Communication Management, not only to study but also to squeeze time in for the completion of an assignment which was due on the SAME day as the exam. I also spent half the time sleeping. I make no apologies for my sleep requirements. I got through it all after some panic attacks and caffeine jolts. Barely a week later, the intensive block (which means classes on Monday, Wednesday, Fri AND Saturday (9-5pm) for the next 2 wks) began today. That’s not the end. I’ve got my Indonesian paper on Thursday afternoon and have not started studying for it. Someone pls shoot me(!) "I've developed a new philosophy... I only dread one day at a time." -Charles Monroe Schulz, Peanuts (character Charlie Brown)

"Nothing great in the world has ever been accomplished without passion." - G.W.F Hegel

At TablaoCordobes, Barcelona

Quitting = Failure?

"I thought I wanted a career, turns out I just want paychecks."