School and stuff.

I may have been subconsciously over-ambitious this semester. Expectation wise. And i've only realised this yesterday evening as I wondered why i was feeling so stressed out even though its just the 3rd week of school.

I am taxing myself too much. Oh please, farah, you were never the sort of student to read the relevant chapters before any lecture. And because you thought you were always on the ball, you suddenly realise that being 3 chapters behind in almost every module was enough to just want to sleep and get away from everything.
Escapism beckoned till last evening.

So there, who cares if im chapters behind in my readings? who cares if im not that on the ball? Im only human. So why the sudden revelation? Cos as of yesterday, i realise that instead of worrying on how im gonna read the previous chaps and next week chapts within this week, i should focus on the task(s) at hand.

Term papers.

I have one due on the 12th and another soon after. So why not, instead focus on what i gotta do now? I'll have plenty of time to catch up. Perhaps as i work on these papers, i'll also go through those readings(although i dont really think so but the possibility is there). Then there's always reading week. There'll always be time.

No sweat. I can handle this. Baby steps is all i need to take. Rome wasnt built in a day.and neither will my cap.

Now i just need to be able to focus...and breathe. Just like I always say..breathe.

And many thanks to my friends at the swaps table. Will it still be called the swaps table? Anyways, i also realise that I need people around me. I was absolutely perplexed as to how i should approach my bio psych term paper till i approached the peeps there. Im so seriously blessed to know that I can always depend on someone there for company, advice, to engage in intellectual babble, information, bitching and well, anything basically! :) You guys are great :)


Aside: I ran for the first time at the SRC track on campus. Ran with cheryl and was hit by a bout of nostalgia triggered by familiar circumstances: Tuesday evenings(3rd period PE), cheryl, a certain big-head senior training on the track, a certain PE teacher coaching, and certain soccer players training. Deja Vu? Was i back at VJ? :)

Played netball and whee! i scored a goal to tie the match. :) But wah, darn tiring.

Big circle I ran

I really can’t believe it. The only time I ran around bedok reservoir before today was for cross country in sec 3. Heh, I completed it then. So the thing that worried me a little before I started the jog this morning was whether I could complete it again. After all, I was much fitter when I was 15. But wow. I did! I’m so happy. The company, the scorching sun and the will power to not NOT complete the run and shatter the memory of reservoir experience turned out to be very motivating.

4.3km non stop. ME! Hehe. Looks like the previous morn runs have been effective!

My other weekly exercise activities: Sunday swims and Tuesday netball.

To a fitter me! :)

Retail therapy

I was supposed to mug today but ended up spending the whole day with my mom. Went around from raffles place to harbour front and then back home. I accompanied her to settle some errands after which our spree took place.

I got myself:

A pair of jeans, lingerie, facial toner, 2 bags (oh wait, these i bought last night), other stuff, and food, food, food.

Im appalled with myself. Then again, I need the above stuff so there. Its not like im wasting money..I'll only be wasting IF i dont use them. So I WILL use them.

Shopping with mom is good cos heh, food is covered. And sometimes, moms do tend to be charitable, dont they? ;)

Oh yeah, mom and I decided to take bus 65 from harbour front cos we missed 10 and while the journey was far too long, it was nice to see my mom get excited while pointing out to me what used to be where and what she used to do..where she used stay and hang out, as the bus went by.

But seriously, i'll never take 65 back to tamp from harbour front again. Not if i can help it.

Merrier

So i went for the netball recre welcome tea and I felt old. Nearly everyone there except the comm members were freshies and they're all so friendly. :) Had an itch to join the comm which i had to suppress by reminding myself that Im a 3rd year and the only reason im joining netball is to sweat it out and know more people.

Then i saw weilan and sheena! hahah. so i wasnt the only third yr! Sheena's joining so yay! Made so many more friends...that heh, i cant remember their names! But they were amazed as to why im joining :)

Managed to pull in several ppl to come down to play. Kim, karina and pema! hahah! I didnt really expect them to show interest but they said yes almost instantly! Wow.

So i do have friends who wanna sweat it out with me :)

Off my laurels!

Im a bit disappointed with the state of my mental stamina. I became fatigue after reading 1.5 chapters of my gen bio text. And i have yet to touch on my bio psych, adol psych,eva aca arg and lab readings. Bah! Nevermind, slow and steady better than nothing.

Physically, Ive been going for saturday morning runs thanks to a certain somebody and Im really glad about that. I've also been looking around for a sport to join. I seriously feel like joining something which involves being in a team since face it, once i leave uni, what are the chances of me playing a sport in a team? Besides, ive already joined a society, a publication and now...a sport! :)

And the sport im deciding to engage is...netball recreational! I like the game. The exposure i got during sec sch pe lesson left an impression on me. I just never got the opp to actually join the cca cos well, i was darn intimidated by the girls. They were all so fit..and well, i dont know abt you but back in my sec sch, they were the 'popular' ones..or so i thought.

Anyhoos, tmr is the welcome tea. Im quite psyched for it except for the fact that it'll start at 6 and end at 9. I finish at 2 on tues so i'll have to wait 4 hours...and by the time i reach home, it'll be nearly 11. And i have sch on wed morn at 9!

But as what my nudgie says "its sports what. Expected to start and end late. And you must be committed".

Lets just see how long i can survive.

eye opener

Attended the dean's list ceremony in the evening and yeah, it was the standard stuff you'd expect from any ceremony. It isnt the worst that ive been to (think back to the draggy CC bursary awards back in pri/sec sch) although some of my friends have told me otherwise. Its nice to see who's there and all that i actually quite enjoyed myself considering the company (grace and liangcai..and nudgie..and food) and the entertainment (the a capella peeps are really good)

:) I enjoyed myself. Its not everyday you know.

...and then burning questions..

"who on earth are these people? How come ive never seen the psych ones before?"

"how on earth do you become top in psych when people take diff mods every sem?"

"how on earth does one qualify for top arts student for year 2 etc?"

"why do all the book prizes for psych students end up being sponsored by the spore prisons service"

I want more awards. Gimme gimme gimme! Please? I promise to work hard :)

Whee~

Organise

Finally, finally, finally, I feel my life is getting on track again.

I am not ashamed to admit that I am totally dependent on organisers. The past 2 weeks have been so messy because my previous nus diary did not cover the first two weeks of August. My goodness, how relieved I am to have the new nussu diary for 06/07 which I love. I love the layout. They have monthly AND daily planners, not to mention the academic calendar, a time table schedule and a map!

I cant help it. Ima sieve head. And have a penchant for planning. I need to know what to expect in the next few days, few months. I need to write my datelines somewhere. I need to jot down my appointments. I need to have order. I need to have direction. Thank goodness for organisers!

I have finally color coded my modules. I need to get new files and pens in various colors. I like to organise myself and Im dedicating this entire week for it! Why? cos organisers and organising now saves a lot of time in future. Not to mention memory space. And less anxiety cos i'll know what to expect.

I'm a control freak. :)

Also, thank GOD i finally have all my texts. I am way behind in readings and I cant wait to pry open my text and smell the crisp print scent. And Im pleased to have gotten myself 2 second hand books which looks as good as new.

Now all I need is a foldable table that i can set up when Im feeling studious.

Yay! Im finally feeling enthusiastic for school again.

1st Day

Okay, not as good a first day as I imagined it to be but I am amazed with my sheer determination not to let my day be ruined by....

1) Stuff

2) Getting caught in the rain while on my way to science when i just washed my jeans and was wearing my new jacket and shirt

3) Broke the straps of my left slipper while trudging up to LT32

4) Have to sign up for bio tut again cos of some admin prob

But no. I did not let them ruin my first day. Cos all in all, it was a great day :) Catching up with mel and cheryl which really really made my day :) Managed to sell my soci text book..and having a nice time with nudgie on my way home.

If there's one thing ive learnt time and time again is that things never always happen the way you expect them to. But then you know what? Maybe it wasnt meant to be as how you imagined it to be. Everything happens for a reason. And with every experience, be it joy or sadness, brings with it lessons you can learn and take away.

And today I learnt the value of optimism.

"Today will be a great day"

Psych me up!

Im quite satisfied. I managed to get all the modules I want without much hassle compared to previous semesters. Even managed to get a 3 day week again (if all goes well with tutorial balloting that is).

My only gripes are
1) I may have an 8am tutorial for Bio psych. But at least i know i wont be alone :) (yay mel!)
2) Gen Bio lect time has been changed so now i have no breaks in between lect. But that isnt the problem. The problem is getting myself over to science faculty in under 15 mins, at peak hour.

Anyways, my mods are....(drum rolls)

1) Biological Psychology
2) Adolescent Psychology
3) Lab in Applied Psychology (Lab in Health Psych)
4) General Biology
5) Evaluating Academic Arguments

Hope i'll be able to ace them :) So far, my mods all seem interesting so yay! :)

FIREWORKS!

Caught the fireworks yesterday. Amazing how crowded city hall was simply because everyone was cramming at the Esplanade cum areas thereabouts to catch the s'pore team's display of the fireworks festivals.

We managed to get a better view from along the expressway. (you know, those lanes you sometimes see people walking along as you drive by wondering why and how on earth they got there) heh, cars actually switched off their ignition and observed the 15 mins in awe. :) A night all drivers united against the traffic police with their illegal parking (i mean, they cant summon ALL the cars can they?)

In any case, happy national day everyone! Im glad to be born and bred here. So privileged we are as compared to a lot of other places. No war, no famine, no draught, no natural disasters, great food, great sanitation, great housing and people get along. What more can you ask for?

And yes yes, i now know that school starts next week. And i was just getting used to living the life of a bum.

A question

When on earth does school start exactly?

Laaa La laaa

Ok, dont judge me alright? And im no music expert.

I was dead bored home. So I decided to look up songs. Searched for shania twain on youtube. Found nice ones and then, found one which she sang with the backstreet boys. So then i decided to search for backstreet boys on youtube. To which i encountered tonnes of music videos. And i listened to the ones I know and my gosh. Memories came flooding back. They were really big back in our teen years and no one can deny that. Haha. Then bubblegum pop was phased out then in came those wannabe bands like blink182 and whatever. Then the 'real' bands that were at least decent to listen to like...i dont know..Creed or whatever..Then the angry teens like avril (who has tamed a little now, i feel. at least her songs arent so raw now. Got more depth)...then those dirty sleazy hip hop which is still ongoing and which i find myself bobbing my head to once in a while.

Popular music is always evolving dont you think?

So anyway, listening to backstreet boys after a long time is refreshing. Yes, the lyrics are lame and their music videos are too drama for their own good. But my gosh, they CAN sing what. So there. Im a bit angry cos i know of ppl who would diss boybands and denouce all boyband members as crap singers..which isnt true nor fair.

Ya. Okay. I have no idea why i bother to blog abt this. I sound like a rambling teen. See what music does to you? It brings you back to the time you first heard the song.

Darn it. I should have gone to their concert when they were here earlier this year.

Heh, but you know something really odd? It took me quite sometime to get used to the whole boyband thing when i was in sec sch. Like before sec 1, I was listening certain songs from the Scorpions, Bon Jovi (who was a hip rock dude then) Alphavile, Europe, Journey, Guns N Roses, Queen,Whitesnake,Meatloaf, Kansas (all of which were in slow rock compilation CDs my bro owned..haha) Bryan Adams, Richard Marx, Roxette..and of course the staple ballads of mariah carey and yes, yes, michael jackson.

Which was why i probably didnt quite fit in cos my friends back then were like eh? who?

Anyway, random thought: is it me or is there like effectively only one singer in the pussycat dolls?

Confused

I thought i planned my modules out like almost a month ago. Then I just realised that it isnt as feasible anymore to stick to it.

Shoots.

Im in search of modules. Need breadths/UEs. Any recommendations? Please comment.

Email Correspondances

NOTE: READ FROM BOTTOM-UP

Dear Ms XXX

I thank you for your assistance and have noted your suggestion. I do hope that my predicament can be looked into as I am sure that other students share my sentiments with regard to this matter.

Thank you once again.

With sincerest gratitude,
Farah

Dear Farah

We will look into the situation and see how we could help you. In the meantime, you may want to try bidding for PL3284_1 since it is only offered in Semester 1.

Regards
XXX (Ms)
Senior Administrative Officer
Department of Psychology

Dear Ms XXX,

Thank you for the clarification. However, I am gravely disheartened by this matter. You are implying that because of the 'system', I am unable to take both aspects of Lab in Applied Psychology.

As a student of this institution, I feel that I am entitled to the right to know why the two labs were bundled under one module to begin with. I feel that I should not have been disadvantaged because of the 'system'. I am interested in both aspects of applied psychology and am serious in pursuing this field in future. I feel that both labs would be highly beneficial to my studies now and for my post-graduate studies. Because of this 'system', I feel that it is unfair for me to have to choose between the two labs given that their content vary a great deal.

I am uncertain if you are the relevant party I should convey my grieviences to so I apologise if you are not the intended recepient. However, I truly appreciate if my email could be forwarded to whomever it concerns such that I may receive a clear, satisfactory clarification to this situation.

Many thanks.

Regards,
Farah

Dear Farah

We no longer have any manual registration for modules. All registration has to be done through the CORS system.

Regards
XXX(Ms)
Senior Administrative Officer
Department of Psychology

Dear Ms XXX,

If that is the case, will I still be able to take the module by manually registering for it? You mentioned that that the system will not allow as such but you did not mention if I am still able to take it if registration is done manually.

I find this to be rather peculiar if this is not possible as I will be denied of the opportunity to take modules which I feel will be of great importance in my undergraduate studies as a psychology major.

I look forward and am greatly appreciative of your clarification.

Thank you.

Regards,
Farah

Dear Farah

As both module are classified under PL3284, the system will not allow you to take the other group if you have taken one group in the earlier semester.

Regards
XXX

Dear XXX,

I am a third year and am rather keen on taking PL3284_1 (Lab in health psychology) this semester. However, I am also interested in taking PL3284_2 (Clinical Application of Neuropsychology). While I understand that it is impossible to take both modules concurrently, I am wondering if I will be allowed to take the other module the following semester. Is it possible to do so? Or will I automatically be precluded from taking it next semester as both modules fall under PL3284?

I look forward to your speedy reply.

Yours sincerely,
Farah XXX

My brother the scientist.

I'm proud of my brother. He just received word that his paper has been accepted and is now published in a journal. I mean common, how many people do you know in the flesh gets their papers published in an international journal?

His paper can be found in the journal Biotechnology and Bioengineering (2006, wiley periodicals, inc.) And check out the uber cheem title...

"Crystallization of IgG1 by Mapping its Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation Curves"

Please, i have no idea what that means. Maybe i should actually read it...later.

There's something about...

Haircuts.
The way a lady feels after having her hair preened and tended to cannot be explained. There's the worry, the loss (in some cases), the satisfaction and the sudden esteem boost. If all goes well, she'll feel good about herself the whole day, even if she snipped off like only 2 inches. In any case, I chopped off half my hair (in length) and most likely 3 quarters of it (in volume) yesterday evening so my head is significantly lighter and my neck isnt aching as much. And i felt darn good lah.


Stilettos.
Heh, i just bought a pair of this pair. Pretty huh? Its funny how your posture is immediately corrected and for the first time you realise that your calves are working and not just lumps of muscles cum fats stuck to the bones connecting your feet to your knees. And the fact that you feel a little bit more confident about yourself. Heels..I like.

Chilling out with friends at a hawker centre.
It's so refreshing. Usually, i'd only go with family. But last evening, I went with ave and ade to beach rd food centre. I dont know if the other two thought the food to be good or not, but my stomach was really contented. I live on these kinds of food. Cheap and good. And i think from now on, i'll try to steer my other friends towards places like these. I think ive had enough of overpriced restaurants where the food is like not as palatable and yet 3 times its price.

Middle eastern decorations.
Im contemplating on doing my house up with in future with carpets, plush cushions, comfy sofas, paintings, ceiling drapes and chandaliers. And cool cute little teacups.

Taking photos.
Im still baffled. Why do girls get so excited when it comes to taking and having taken a photo?

Jeans.
Why is it that no matter how many pair you own, you'll only end up using the same one all the time?

Pink.
Well, there's nothing to say really :)

Themed eateries.
Billy bombers. Ive never dined there but I have this prolific urge to dress in long frilly skirts and have a ribbon in my hair, while humming "mr simon, give me a drink" should i ever.

Early preps

Spent 4 hours at tanjong katong complex shopping for my hari raya clothes like almost 3 months in advance. Amazingly, people have already begun shopping for them. I must say, the designs are getting more modern and trendy. But the price...oh the price. Worth it if you're using your outfit more than once but killer expensive like crazy if its just for that one day. In the end, after trying so many out, i came home empty handed...but im in no hurry to get one yet anyway.

Yesterday was a tad tiring. Tuition in the morn, salsa in the afternoon then swaps farewell. I guess the highlight of that was the fact i got to play the drums and i got a tour of chris's lovely house :)

Bidding starts next week. Im satisfied with the dept for blocking modules (3 of which im intending to take) in favour of yr 3s. Wohoo! :)

Also, I just feel like saying that..

I love my darling :)

Hello

I just came back from a 2D1N trip to Bintan. My sis is having her 1 wk leave and we decided to go somewhere nearby (45 mins away) instead of cameron highlands (10 hr bus ride) or bangkok (which requires flight and more planning).

Bintan is expensive, at least to me cos everything is in sing dollars and i dont feel as rich as i did in tioman where everything is in ringgit. Also, a 2D1N trip is more than sufficient before you get bored. Unless youre the type who just love tanning or whatever then you'll enjoy it very much. Then again, this is my 2nd time there so maybe im just not as excited....Bintan is just a place to go to escape the icky waters around s'pore's coast...and being 45 mins away, you can actually just take a day trip there from tanah merah terminal to take a dip and soak your feet in the fine fine sand and come back at night!

The water is very clear and yeah, you can see fishes by the shore...and that water is superbly calm. It felt like i was swimming in a lake rather than the sea! :)

Golf enthusiasts might like the course there as it is apparently in the top 100 golf courses in the world.

That aside, more bumming for me till school re-opens!

:) :) :)

Finally!

Thanks to ave, i finally have a list of halal places to dine around town besides the same usual places...

Copied this from the class blog to share so next time anyone wants to plan like an outing with muslims, you guys can suggest these places.. :) Oh yes, you can also go to the MUIS website to look at the entire list of halal food outlets in singapore.

Bumbu Restaurant @ Far East Square 63928628 ♥ Kintamani Indonesian Restaurant @ Furama Riverfront Hotel 67332081 ♥ Sofra Turkish Cafe & Restaurant @ Shaw Tower 62911433 ♥ Wang Yhingthai Restaurant @ Purvis St 63392520 ♥ Mackenzie Rex Restaurant @ Prinsep Street 63361702 ♥ Hajah Maimunah @ 11&15 Jalan Pisang 6291 3132♥ Larissa Café @ #B1-09/10 Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade, 6734 7030♥ Mazmazza Café & Restaurant @ 67-68 Bussorah Street 6297 7472♥ Straits Kitchen @ 10 Scotts Road, Grand Hyatt Hotel 6416 7114♥ Café Vienna @ Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Road 6589 7799♥ Café De Laila @ 100 Orchard Road #01-03 Le Meridien Shopping Centre 6735 076

Still full closet and dusty hands have i.

Im airing my cupboard. Well, at least thats a pretty valid excuse for walking away from the mess ive made in my room.

I got rid of all the clothes i have not worn in the past 2 years and which i do not intend to wear..again. I was about to donate them to some needy indonesians cos this guy in the newspapers is acting as a middleman, collecting old clothes and stuff for the needy there. I told my grandma about it and she decided that she wanted to give them to her maid. so yeah. either way, i know my clothes arent gonna be wasted.

Amazed at how brilliantly fast I had done my wardrobe, I decided to well, do my bookshelves. The ones which were stuffed with all the mess from the exams. Threw away all my social work notes. Dont think im gonna need them anyway. Decided to keep my psych lect stuff. And my GEK1525 notes are still with me. Kenneth has asked me to pass it on. So anyone out there taking Evaluating Claims Related To Health, look me up, im giving it away. NM2219 book up for grabs too. Im still deciding if i should keep it cos its in such good condition and its a really nice read. But then again, whats the point of keeping it? Im already wondering if i should have hung onto my PL1101E text. Whats the point of keeping that? Im thinking of selling it already. I dont see myself referring to it in future considering it only somewhat scratches the surface the topics in psych.

Its funny how its so easy to keep books but so hard to figure out what the heck to do with all those tutorial readings and stuff.

I have 2 more pigeon holes to finish before moving on to my drawers and perhaps dresser. Argh.

In any case, I just completed this book by Paul Coelho. Its called "The devil and Miss Prym". I highly recommend this to everyone who wants a short hmm-ish whoa book that touches on the mumbo-jumbo about whether humans are essentially good or evil. (gosh, i can never be a book reviewer but ive never intended to be one anyway)

Im also reading another book "Why we do it: Rethinking sex and the selfish gene". Its something that delves into evolution theories and stuff. Im still struggling with the 2nd chapter. Its been a long time since i read a academic kinda book.

In the meantime, I'll be re-reading Shape :)

I think that this holiday has taught me a lot about people. The most hardworking person ends up a slob when he/she has nothing to do.

Fine, thats just me.

And crap. Im left with 1 month before school starts and look at me. I havent worked out as often as i can to lose the exam-induced fats on my body.