It's interesting to you how I always expect the worst?

Well you see, that way I'm never disappointed. And sometimes I'm nicely surprised.

For thousands of years writers and philosophers have debated the nature of love. Many recognized that there are different kinds of love, but few accepted them all as legitimate. Instead, each writer argues that his own concept of love is the best. C.S. Lewis thought that true love must be unselfish and altruistic, as did sociologist Pitirim Sorokin. Stendhal, by contrast, took the view that love is passionate and ecstatic. Others think that "real" love must be wedded to the protestant ethic, forging a relationship that is mutually beneficial and productive. Definitions of love range from sexual lust to an excess of friendship.

The ancient Greeks and Romans were more tolerant. They had variety of words for different and to them equally valid types of love. But today the concept has rigidified most of us believe that there is only one true kind of love. We measure each relationship against this ideal in terms of degree to quantity. Does tom love me more than Tim does? Do you love me as much as I love you? Do I love you enough? Such comparisons also assume that love comes in fixed amounts the more I give to you the less I have for anyone else; if you don't give me everything you don't love me enough…

It makes a lot of sense. I guess many things make sense that aren't suppose to.

SOMETIMES, it's reasonable. MOST OF THE TIME, it's just plain stupidity. So which time is it?

A brief summary of today.

4 hour lecture went by quite smoothly. Basically it was an introduction of the subject, what to expect and severak key reminders. Mathematics and statistics has begun topic 1, so does Organic Chemistry. Tomorrow, lecture will start at 9am. If I'm not mistaken, its Human Physiology and Immunobiology. I heard that it is a tough subject from some of my year 2 friends, so it will be interesting to find out how the first lecture went. Then its Biochemistry lecture for an hour. Following that will be a break, then its APEL tutorial.

This afternoon after the plagiarism workshop, I went to Singapore Conference Hall for the SYF central judging. I'm proud to say, Parry Primary got gold and Macperson Primary got gold with honours. Overall, its 3 gold and 1 gold with honours. Quite and achievement, though the judges decision is a bit out of the ordinary. I'm waiting for their remarks, maybe then I will be able to find out how they judge the schools.

Today's homework, Mathematics and statistics and the Plagiarism worksheet from the workshop. I plan to get both done by tomorrow, maybe maths by tonight. Till then, bye!

So today marks the first time I will be attending school. No more orientation or camps, its the real thing. I had PC orientation at 12pm, it was a complete waste of time in my opinion. Without their help, I can self-taught how to log in to the various TP websites and emails.

My first real lesson however was Communication Skills for Applied Science, also known as CSAS. Frankly, it was not boring at all. I expected it to be really boring and I will be dreading for the 2 hours to pass by quickly. But in actual fact, it was really fun. The 2 hours past by without me realising it. If only all lectures are as fun as CSAS but that will be a bit impossible.

One, because lectures are conducted with over a hundred students.
Two, because a lot of information need to be absorb into my thick skull.
Three, CSAS is conducted only with my class. So sharing our opinions with one another, we will not feel embarassed.

Tomorrow starting school at 8am. I will be having lectures for 4 hours straight. My first lecture, so it will be interesting to see how it goes.

Sidetrack a bit, today was the Gamelan SYF for primary school. Both Macperson and Parry primary attain gold. No school attain gold with honours so I'm a bit surprised by that. But in any case, I heard they did their best and I'm happy for them. Tomorrow will be the angklung. I hope I can make it because my lessons finish at 2pm. So I estimate, I should be able to reach Singapore Conference hall by 2.30pm.

Well, that's it for today. Only two lessons for today hence I can't post much. Oh by the way, today I had lunch at AS canteen. The nasi briyani was nice, I was hoping to try out the Lasagne tomorrow. That's is if we are eating there again. Knowing my friends, they might want to try out at other school's canteen. If that's the case, I'm hoping design school canteen.

Colours of Love report

Decide for yourselves if you think this is actually the way I am. I took this test and this is the results..

Andika, you're a committed partner!

If you had a love theme song it might just be, "Let's Stay Together." That's because it's usually important for your sense of security to be part of a stable, committed relationship. You tend to believe that a true partnership means one that's for life - the kind of eternal love you seek. There's a certain sense of traditionalism in your view of romance. You look for old-fashioned values like honesty, trust, and devotion. You may even believe that the most harmonious partnerships happen when the man is the breadwinner. Your greatest relationship vulnerability appears to be a tendency to fear that your partner will leave you. Try to calm those worries as you set out to look for the kind of romance you've dreamt about. Have faith that your very own committed partner is out there.

When you're not thinking about love, you're probably thinking about more worldly things. Types like you tend to feel that money makes the world go round. As a result, you do what you can to maximize your wealth. But beyond life's financial rewards, success in itself can be important to you. As a result, you work harder than many do to make sure you achieve it. Perhaps that's because you like being the best at what you do. You may also appreciate the accolades that come with a job well done. Status symbols and your appearance can be other strong focuses for your type. You seem to enjoy being admired for your style or belongings. The confident way you're able carry yourself can make you seem like quite an impressive person at times.

In or out of a relationship, you're the kind of person who tolerates criticism pretty well. In fact, if a friend or lover offered you some constructive feedback, you'd probably see their concern as an act of compassion. Because you're not likely to take people's words too personally, you can be very approachable and easy to talk to. These are both really special traits to have in relationships. However just because you accept criticism well, doesn't mean you never feel blue. On the contrary, when you're low, you may tend to dwell on your sorrows until they seem much larger than they really are. You may even find yourself shutting yourself off from people and feeling uncomfortable in your environment. At times like these, be gentle with yourself. Try little things to cheer yourself up. Watch your favorite movie or get outside. Above all, know that the blues will pass

When you're part of a couple, it's interesting to note that while strong commitment is of paramount importance to you, a strong emotional connection may be less so. In fact, for you the physical high of sex may become a more important focus of your relationship than other aspects of sharing. Being aware of this priority and finding someone who shares it will be vital. It will ensure that you and your mate both feel fulfilled in your relationship, giving you a better chance of keeping the love you seek.

Timetable

My timetable is really packed with lectures, tutorials and labs. I half-expect the 4 hour long break but that didn't happen. Instead, the longest break I will be having is 2 hours. Almost everyday, school will start at 9am and ends at 6pm. Its like secondary school only if I count the CCA hours.

I'm a bit confused with the timetable, especially the lecturer says that there won't be any tutorials and labs for week 1. But there will be PC orientation and I must attend all lectures, I think. But anyways, I can double-check with my classmates.

A quick reflection of my orientation, overall it was fun. Not as fun as FOC, but the activities, friends and OL's made it as fun as possible. My group, Ventrue won the best clan! But as a school, Business school won the overall championship. The Regatta event was great. Our first race was quite a disappointment. But after that, we either came in 1st, 2nd or 3rd. Despite the light showers, it did not dampen our spirits.

Its a wet and cold day. The weather is not helping and the games today are wet games. Hence, the drenched clothes and shorts. When the cold air-con from the LT room and buses, including my damped shirt touches my bare skin, goosebumps appear from my skin due to the chill.

First day of school, Term 0.

Basically its just an intro with my course-mates. Most of the faces I saw was a first time. Made quite a few friends. Today the activities were ice breaker games, water games and Adventure games. I wouldn't say that today really blew me away. Its what I expected so no surprises. The cheers, most of it I know already due to the FOC. They just change a few words but other than that, the rhythm is the same.

Tomorrow will be the 2nd day of the orientation. A few comments regarding a particular OL, Sharifah. A very bubbly girl, sweet face and probably the most carefree girl I know so far based on first impression. Sometimes I wonder if this is actually the way she behaves or its just an act to hype the freshmens up.

I guess I'm still feeling tired due to FOC. This morning, Parry Pri had their performance during assembly. Its more to a warm-up before SYF, the main purpose is for the students to get used to the crowd. They played okay, could have been better. The song was nice, the only fault was their movements and they fail to smile.

After the morning performance, I went back home to sleep and woke up at 12.15pm for their afternoon class which ended at 5pm. Throughout the lesson today, I felt a bit sleepy and tired. Oh well, another week to go before SYF.

Tomorrow might be my last lesson since school is starting this wednesday. Nervous? I don't think so but anxious yes! It should be interesting to see my course-mates and how hard is biomedical science. It should be hard, the real question is how hard is it. Guess I'll find out on wednesday. Last of all, I'm totally unprepared for it. I have not decided on what to wear, bring and my indemnity form is still unsigned.

Freshmen Orientation camp

Wee!!!

Just returned from the 3 days TP Freshmen Orientation Camp(FOC). A lot can be said about FOC but mainly, its an exciting and memorable camp. Definitely the best camp I ever had so far. The activities was great, the friends was great, the GL's was enthusiastic and the freshmen as a whole was really sporting.

I made a lot of friends and I'm definitely going to make more friends once the semester starts. So about the camp, I was posted to Beenox empire. Our empire was inspired from bees. The rest of the empires are Antor, Spydra, Centis and Mantis. All 5 empires names originated from insects and the theme for the camp is Temaskah.

First day was basically about cheers. I learn a lot of cheers and unfortunately was asked to lead the cheers for the first day. Not that I'm complaining but I don't quite like being a leader. I prefer to be the one that observe the whole thing. The cheers was fun and most of my empire-mates had sore throats at the end of the day. During the night, all the empires had to travel around Tampines to proceed to the different games station. At the end of the day, my empire was in 3rd place.

Second day started at 7am, did our morning PT. The GL's was hilarious, especially during the Superman, Batman and Spiderman game. After PT was our breakfast and then the rest of the activies for the day. The events that stand out from the second day was when the malay boys went to Friday prayers, freshmen and GL's. It was raining heavily on that day. After prayers, we were stranded inside the mosque and the rain showed no signs of slowing down. So we all decided to make a run for the bus stop.

By the time we reach the bus stop, we all were soaking wet. The roads was practically flooded and vehicles was having a hard time moving. When the bus arrived, it stopped quite a few metres away from the bus stop because of the flooded roads. So we had to run to the bus quickly or else we will be more drenched. While running, Hazwan slipped and fell. All of us was laughing while running, in malay we say that the way he fall was like 'Nangka Busul'. Throughout the journey, he was the butt of the jokes.

The second day was also the day when we learned the TP mass dance. Its quite cool to have our own dance and best of all, the dance was catchy. And after the mass dance was the chicky dance. During the night, we had our performance followed by jam and hop. Jam and hop was the best event for the second day! We all danced to the music, the lighting was nicet and the atmosphere was just great.

Third day was a wet event. The games were all water games. After the water games, we played Hunt-gry. Its like a scavenger hunt but not only we must find for stuffs, we must also do stuffs to get points. After hunt-gry, we played final quest. Its like a strategy game cum water bomb. Basically, we have to destroy the other empire's hoops to win. The hoops are wrapped with newspapers so the hoop that's destroyed is out. In the end, the last two empires was Beenox and Antor. Initially, we were allies. We attacked the rest of the empires and since only mantis and centis are allies, it was easy to eliminate spydra. The final bout, Beenox won!! Haha, we manage to destroy Antor hoop.

Following tradition, to mark the end of the camp, we did the TP dance, chicky dance, group photo and the massive group hugs. Oh yeah, my empire came in second place!

FOC camp was memorable. The camp commander Sahfahri was a funny guy. He was the one that makes the camp as it is. So next up, OTC camp? Haha, being a GL was really fun. Maybe I will be one and I will be seeing the freshmen for the next FOC camp next year. Haha, what an imagination! Semester has not even started and already I'm thinking of next year's freshmen.

We get bored with childhool, rush to grow up and then long to be children again.

We lose our health for money and then lose our money for health.

We think anxiously about the future, we forget the presentsuch that we live in neither present nor the future.

We live as if we will never die, and die as though we had never lived.

People talk about wanting to be independant but everything they do or plan to do is the opposite of it.

People talk about being stress-free but every decision they makes their lives even harder to live through everyday.

People talk about being happy but how can they be happy when they are never contented?

My house feels like a chocolate haven.

Today's combine lesson with Parry and Macperson Primary wasn't that bad. I expect it to be a lot worse but the students are cooperative today. So lesson starts at 8am and ends at 12pm. The gamelan ensemble will be having a school concert during assembly this coming monday, just to get a feel of stage prescence or in other words, get used to playing infront of an audience.

Other than that, I just received an e-mail regarding the Freshmen Orientation Camp. I went to Orchard today with Raziz to buy a few things, we actually walk from Lavender to Bugis to City Hall. More or less, its the same distance as before when the whole group went to Town last month.

Tomorrow morning soccer practice as usual, its been 2 weeks since I last kick a ball so I'm a bit rusty.

I guess that's it, the rest of my life is pretty much the same. Work is great, SYF is coming and a lot of teaching still needs to be done. Poly is starting soon, quite anxious about it. Till then, I'll update as soon as possible

Imagining being inside a hot and humid hall cramped with over a hundred chattery students for 4 hours.

Yup, that's how I will start my day tomorrow. Combined practice for Parry and Macperson Primary. Its going to be a long morning and a tiring one as well.

Exposed lies

Secrets can't hide in science. Our conscious has a way of exposing lies. Within the walls of our life, the truth is stripped bare.

How we keep our secrets outside our life - Well, that's a little different.

One thing is certain, whatever it is we're trying to hide, we're never ready for that moment when the truth gets naked. That's the problem with secrets. Like misery, they love company. They pile up and up until they take over everything

Until you don't have room for anything else, until you're so full of secrets you feel like you're going to bust.

Hey, life is short. The road is long, with many winding turn.

We all face challenges, some are complicated whereas others are simple. Either way, if we are unable to overcome these challenges, we can't move on with our lives.

Hence, treasure every hour, every minute and every moment. What we learn today, can be our income tomorrow.

I am a sink with an open drain. Anything you say runs straight out.

Parry Pri angklung camp is over, and I can finally breath a sigh of relief. Its been a tiring 3 days for me and for the kids as well. During the second day, all those gloomy and sleepy faces can be seen from almost everybody. Anyways, it was a great camp. Their quality improved a bit but they still must improve on their movement and showmanship.

Enough of camp, tomorrow is the Sec 5's outing at Pasir Ris Park. I'm not sure if I can make it or if I want to go in the first place. There's no class at Parry tomorrow, since they probably want to rest after a long and tiring camp. Hence, I may join them. But first thing tomorrow, I'm heading down to Takashimaya because of the Levi's sale. Hopefully, I'm not that lazy to drag my lazy bum there.

Sometimes people do desperate things to get someone's attention. There are two sides to every story. A friend of mine did something desperate to get attention from someone. Yes Nadiah, you will know who is that someone I'm talking about. Its the same someone that's been bugging, irritating and annoying you for the past few days.

Don't be alarmed!

I was taking the elevator when I read a sign that says, " If elevator should stop do not become alarmed. Press the button marked alarm to summon assistance."

Well, if they do not want us to be alarmed, then why they call the button 'alarmed'?