Today (actually yesterday) was a very special day. I completed all my coursework! What's ahead is the finals! Also, I am done with my German 1!
Reflecting back, learning German is still the most satisfying thing I've done this semester, followed by Psychology, though my passion is still Geography. But actually, going to University is already very satisfying.
One of the most important lessons I learnt this semester is about having enough sleep. In our fast-paced society, having little sleep often equates to working hard. It seems so natural to think very highly of people who sleep very little a day, which when given some thought is totally absurd! Instead, the exact opposite is true. According to Zimbardo et al. (2009), when we get enough sleep, we work more efficiently, our mind is clearer, and we accomplish more things than accumulating a sleep debt.
So how long is enough? Minimum 6 hours a day. We need to go through 4-5 deep sleep cycles (i.e. you have to dream about 4-5 times), then it is considered adequate (Zimbardo et al., 2009). So now I finally understood why Fraulein Maria sang 'strength lies in nights of peaceful slumbers' in the song 'I Have Confidence' in the musical 'The Sound of Music' (1965).
Okay, ich habe keinen Zeit! Ich brauche jetzt studieren.
Autumn fun:x 1:34 AM
Friday, October 02, 2009
F1 Rocks Singapore
The previous weekend Singapore hosted the second Singtel Formula 1 (TM) Grand Prix. I think it is very amazing that Singapore was able to host the F1, and to be the only night racing in the world. Why do I say so? We built the Supreme Court and Anderson Bridge hundred of years ago, then the Esplande Bridge and The Esplande in the 90s, and recently the Singapore Flyer and Floating Platform, our roads were built according to our needs, and now they all come together so nicely for us to host the Singapore Grand Prix. It's like a bonus to the country, and think of the amount of benefits Singapore gets.
I felt very excited watching the race over the TV, because the places where the karts run through were where I waited for my bus after movie at Marina Square, where I walked from The Esplanade to the Merlion Park, from City Hall to Suntec City, and don't forget we have our Circle Line underneath the tracks. Quoting our senior minister from the Starits Times, 'it would have been different if the race was elsewhere, because these are the places Singaporeans can identify with.' This is our sense of place and place identity - applying the new concept I learnt in the past half a semester.
These are the previews in English und auf Deutsch:
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Learning German is a lot of work, but it is very satisfying. The only drawback is that as my German improves, my English deproves. Ich finde lernen Deutsch spaß, und möchte lernen mehr Fremdsprache - Japanisch, Spanisch, Cantonisch, Koreanisch, Französich und Italienisch.
‘溏心风暴’ has finished its run on TV. Feel so weird now, have been so excited over 9pm for the past few months. Yet I am going to watch it all over again during my holidays, including ‘家好月园’. A quote that strikes me, again in the show, also by 大干 is this: ‘哭有时，笑有时； 欢乐有时，悲伤有时’ there's time for everything, so we shouldn't dwell on something too much, but should keep moving on.
Speaking about Hong Kong, I recently watched 'Extreme Engineering' on Discovery Channel about Hong Kong Airport. A seemingly common project was actually a historical breakthrough in engineering considering that it had to build the world's tallest and longest bridge （60 stories high!), massive underwater tunnels and highways across 15 lanes of traffic, and North Lantau Island used to be just rocky mountains! A project estimated to take decades had to be completed in 7 years, and Hong Kong Airport is the single largest enclosed area in the world! I hadn't knew all these!
Autumn fun:x 6:37 PM
Saturday, September 19, 2009
'Recess' Week
Finally there's something called 'recess' week. Someone said my blog had stood still since school start, which is true! =) Sehr gut.
The most significant thing that is worth mentioning should be 溏心风暴, like a bit no life haha...so these are the words from 大干：‘一家人相处最重要的是讲一个“诚”字，如果不能坦诚，那么大家心里就会有根刺，那么怎么能开心呢？’, and my lousy attempt to translate, 'we must be honest to each other, if not its likened to having a thorn in our hearts, then how would we be happy?'
I haven't been taking much photos recently, so no photos to post. But next week! 2 geography field work trips, and a cac cohesion outing...photos, photos, photos...and i am craving for dim sum...
Autumn fun:x 12:46 AM
Friday, August 21, 2009
High School Musical 4 - College Years
School's finally started. Lots of helter-skelter (which I don't want to detail), lots of things to learn, lots of decisions to make and lots of adaptations to do, all ranging through an entire scale. But beneath the uncertainty, occassional inner struggle and dissatisfaction, I am happy. I am happy I made it here, I am happy that I have grown out of my narrow mind, and I am happy for the help bestowed on me, those who pulled me through, and thankful for it.
I now believe more firmly that we should stand-by our positive principles, despite the perpetual challenge that it is being put upon by society's attempt to bring it down, time will separate the good from the evil, or as the chinese saying accurately puts it, ‘人在做，天在看’.
It is so exciting to watch ‘溏心风暴’ an episode a day. The suspence that adds up at the end of every episode, combined with the daily trailer that repeats throughout the day is perfect entertainment. Lots of statements to learn, with which we can fight for ourselves when we get bullied! As a tribute, I am going to dye my hair like 黄宗泽 LOL
Autumn fun:x 10:53 PM
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Sim City 4
I am so happy to be able to create a city of my desires! For years since I bought the game, I just don't know why my city doesn't grow. Then now that I have a bit of time, I went to do some research, and according to someone on youtube, 'with a bit of dedication, you can play this game real well!' Sim City is really a very tough game. Boring and demoralising when you don't know how to play, but it just sucks your soul into it when you finally understand the game. Then you'll realise its really logical and meaningful.
Besides Sim City, the other thing that made me very happy recently was when Larry told me that someone in Archi shared with him how he was being made use by darrell tham that fucker. After that I felt so happy, because I am more certain now that I wasn't the one who's screwed up, but him! In fact, recalling those horrible times and that horrible person makes me very, very, very angry!
Maj Janny told Zachary this during one of my tuition with him, 'don't remember the bad things people do to you. Know how it hurts and don't do it to others. Remember the nice things people do to you, then you'll start to realise that there are many nice people in this world'
Autumn fun:x 10:07 PM
Monday, July 27, 2009
Busy Week
Had a really busy week. Monday went to watch Harry Potter. I think it could've focussed more on the magical parts. Tuesday went out with Siudor to fly kite at Marina Barrage. Enjoyed it totally except for the tan =< Then went to Mind's Cafe with my JC buddies. Had a great time! Wednesday had work, then tuition. Travelling from Pasir Laba to Tampines is no joke. Thursday went to buy DVD player, tuition, then visit my grandma. Can't go Timbre. Friday (perhaps luckily) night cycling was cancelled, so I got my rest! But still met up with the AFIMC peeps for dinner nevertheless.
Mediacorp Channel 8 showed the drama '心花朵朵开’ last year. This family-centered drama's theme song had the same title, but carried very meaningful lyrics. The chorus goes like this:
心花朵朵开 要懂得灌溉 - learn to cultivate the flowers in our hearts 体谅和关怀 才会更愉快 - compassion and care brings about happiness 谁被亏待 谁被疼爱 - who gets more and who gets less 还不都是虚荣心在作怪 - it's what our vanity brings us to think
心花朵朵开 要多点忍耐 - the flowers in our hearts will blossom with tolerance 风风和雨雨 一起扛下来 - grit through thick and thin 有种答案 叫做看开 - there's a solution, and that is called 'move on' 才会每天都能活得精彩 - and we'll live everyday meaningfully
The English translation wouldn't flow, but the idea for each sentence should be there (I guess). Think about it. Particularly the part that tells us to ‘看开’. It really is the solution to many problems. Since we can't solve it, accept it =)
Autumn fun:x 12:24 AM
Friday, July 17, 2009
University
I am really very happy and excited that school is starting, like after 2 years. Throughout these few years, even now, I met a lot of people who gave me many advices like, 'hey why did you choose arts? there's no future!', 'study business you can do anything and make big bucks', 'take engineering will secure you a good job next time!' etc etc
Everyone wants to make big bucks, have great ambitions. But have it ever crossed your mind that getting into University is itself a blessing? How many people out there want to have a degree but didn't have the chance? My mum and dad are very good examples. We never know what would happen next time, but what I know is to grab every opportunity that comes my way, based on my own inclinations.
My dear friend, malCOLM Koh wrote this on his facebook: 'I don't like to conform to what social norms or people expect of me... It stifles me from being me...'
I find it very meaningful because everyone has their own unique value to this world. Everyone is their best when they follow the directions of their heart. This reinstates my point about what people say about my decision to do arts.
Autumn fun:x 2:50 PM
Saturday, July 04, 2009
AFIMC Zoo Outing
I didn't know going to Zoo could be so fun. Ms Calyn's daughter is damn cute =)
Really miss those peeps at afimc =) I've nvr had that much fun in my entire life. Kudos to all!
Thursday's episode of 东方之珠 carried this quote, which I think can help people to overcome their fears. It goes like this: '你要别人用正常的眼光看你，你就得先用正常的眼光看自己’
Autumn fun:x 10:47 PM
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Arts Camp!
Arts Camp was really fun and happening. Met a lot of familiar faces, as well as look-alike faces. My group has one guy who looks like Choon Hong, and one who looks like Nigel. Then my House IC looked totally like Chee Yong duplicate.
My House IC Jun Yue was funny like Chee Yong, crazy like him, and hyper like him, but he is super emo - the exact opposite of Chee Yong. He keeps saying things like we are one family, we must be happy, and cries very easily. But this shows how much he appreciates what he does, and how much effort he puts in. Salute to them because I know how tough it is. Arts Camp was worth it =)
I am so going to join publicity...continue my work in AFIMC =)
Today I will be sharing a quote from '阿旺新传', which is the one 小媳妇 always uses to encourage 阿旺： ‘只要有恒心，梦想可成真’
Autumn fun:x 9:21 PM
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
New Blog Skin
New skin is finally up. Changing the facade means changing directions. While it will still be short and brief, this blog would move away from being personal, to something more purposeful. As far as possible every post from now on I will include meaningful quotes from movies/tv drama/books or anywhere, which will hopefuly inspire some.
The quote today is from the movie '17 Again': 'When you're young, everything for you seems like the end of the world, but it isn't. It's just the beginning.'
The secret to youth isn't herbal medicine. It isn't exercise. It isn't even 'thinking young'. The key to a longer, happier, healthier, more fulfilled life is simply to see and enjoy the world through your children's eyes. - extract from the book 'Boys and Their Toys'
