Frustrations

Had intended to pen this on the blog when I get home... somehow it just couldn't wait so I started writing the entry on a slip of paper before transfering it here... so here goes.

Writing this on the train again. Sign of pent up frustration I suppose. Storm of emotions, issues never seemed so convoluted and lucid at the same time. Contesting list of 'to-dos' piling up in school. -----> Balancing problems.
Much work, little time, the constant need to pace yourself and keep up. The same old mantra, "do your readings, don't wait till last minute, keep your heads up and the datelines insight". I know, I know, for one, I was never a person who could deal with a last minute influx of new information.... but somehow you feel more could be done, that you are probably not doing enough ----> inadequacy.

Emails, IVLE, forums, module blog, projects, presentations, essays, book reviews and critiques. Keep the due dates insight people! Things I have been grappling with and rather poorly. Things could have been more controlled and more predictable. Feeling as though you are both keeping up and being dragged along at the same time. Nope, you're not extremely behind but yes there's a lot more you could have done.

Took a weekend off, didn't check my email nor the IVLE. 3 days, and you go back on Monday to find you have to do damage control. Things have changed, you received an urgent email on Friday that you replied on Monday, only to have an irritated party on the other end saying he has to wait 3 days for that.
Three days...
That instant, I felt a sudden inclination to curse the people who even created the technology to draw us closer together. Connectivity has brought work right to your doorstep, threatening to intrude & spill into your personal space when you least want it to happen. Yet, the same technology has its benefits too.

In a period of change comes a source of comfort, the someone I met has been a real source of comfort and calm in times like these. School and personal life has come together in a potent concoction that is still taking me on an emotional roller coastal ride that I'm attempting to grapple with....
The multitude of emotional ups and downs had its share of contributing to this frustration that is manifesting itself at the present moment, yet so far, it has been worthwhile.

For the person out there, thank you for coming into my life and thank you for just being there. To all my friends reading this, you people have been a real joy, thanks for the laughter, the company, you make it easier for me to get through the nonsense life throws in your path ever so often.

That.. was therapeutic.

This holiday has been magical for more reasons than one.

1. Got a part-time job faster than expected though I would have hoped for something more related, it was an experience nonetheless.
2. Went on two trips instead of one. One to Rome and Venice, the other to Taipei. Burnt a hell-load of cash but both were memorable.
3. I met someone. (We shall leave it as that..)
4. Met up with friends that I've not seen in a while and witness the growing of the Animal Farm.

Its amazing how so many things can happen during the holidays. The only time during your school life when you have enough free time on your hands to actually pursue things that you wished you had the time and attention to give.

School would be starting tomorrow. The closing of a chapter and the beginning of another...

Hawaiian Fright Night!

Had a wonderful time at a chalet yesterday organized by the Singapore History Consultants, Journeys pte ltd and Changi Museum. It was a company function actually, so just popped over to have some fun.

Lots of booze, loads of frangipani (Hawaiian mah... but frangipani in the 7th month. I think we were just trying to be funny), food and more booze. The crowd was wonderful and a lot of fun as everybody chilled through the night with a drink in hand. Games and pageants and everybody had a good laugh. N of course being a firm engaged in historical works the usual history quiz came up. Best part of it was probably the ghost trail.

Yes, I went on a ghost trail at midnight around the Old Kitchener's Barracks. The building was built in 1935 for the Royal Engineers... rather dilapitated with frangipani and fig trees (a sign of spiritual activity) alongside the road leading in. Stories were told of the deaths that occured there and the horrific murder case that happened on the very carpark in 1956.

Taipei trip

Its been a long time since I last posted so yes I'm back again. Blog was dormant; not dead people. So come back once in a while there would be something here again.

Went Taipei about two weeks after my trip to Italy. Come to think of it, it was pretty crazy burning money like that. Not to mention laptop died on me, so spent $$ getting a new laptop. Burning even more cash than ever. This holiday was perhaps the one time I spent an immense amount of money within such a short period of time.

The Taipei trip took place between the 23rd of July to the 30th of July. Went there with two other friends with the mentality that I would probably not get to go with them anytime in the near future. One would be starting her 5 years of education in Australia, the other possibly going over to UK for postgrad studies.

Trip was simple and mostly confined to Taipei city. We didn't even get to go to the scenic sights that we had initially wanted to head for because of a few hiccups along the way. Somehow, the entire trip became a shopping trip. Honestly speaking, there wasn't much you could do at Taipei beyond visiting the temples and some memorial sites; but once you've been to China, those in Taiwan would pale in comparison. Shopping was not too bad, there isn't much cost-savings since the prices are about the same as those back at home. We met with typhoon, a 6.1 earthquake and a bout of food poisoning. Safely got through it all and shopped through both the quake and the typhoon.
Didn't feel the quake cos I was on ground level and typhoon didn't affect us except occasional showers since it didn't sweep through Taipei.

Accomplishment on this trip?

• 1st time out alone with friends without my parents around. Nice one, maybe do more of these in the future.
• I'm amazed at my own shopping abilities. Shopped at
  五分铺 from 2pm till midnight and brought a tremendous amount of clothes. My advise to people going Taipei. Forget about
  西门盯 head straight for 五分铺 instead. You won't regret it.