Illusion of Words

Finals Week/ Ice storm

It’s the finals week. Which means school will be over by the end of the week. The first day, I didn’t have any exams, just one paper to turn in, so I was pretty glad to be able to sleep in - not that I ever sleep in that much (my record is 10.45 am). Then my cellphone buzzed. A message, from a strange number. It said something like: “Campus will be closed at 1.30pm due to ice storm warning.”

I was baffled, at first. Then I looked out the window. Rain. Could it actually turn into an ice storm? I reached for my laptop and checked the weather forecast. Sure enough, it stated ice storm warning for this area. And it was to remain till noon the next day. Hm. Interesting.

The rains stopped soon enough. But the day remained cloudy and very wet. And I saw no ice. Perhaps the night will bring ice-covered roads, because the temperature is currently below 0.

Of course, the trouble in all that is the some people’s finals in the afternoon have to be rescheduled. Me? I just have to find a way to make up two hours’ work time. Somehow.

The funny thing is that, looking at the week’s forecast, tomorrow will be rainy too, so will Wednesday, reaching highs of 14 degrees Celsius, but on Thursday the temperature jumps to a high of 24 degrees Celsius. Which I don’t think I’ve seen since November or something.

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One Bad thing and other misc

Great. Just what I need.

Do you notice something different about my glasses?

Yes, so I guess I snapped one side right off. And I thought my glasses were indestructible (my old ones are still perfectly alright - apparently the newer one isn’t as good).

This brings a whole new meaning to the warning: “Treat your glasses gently.”

Recently it’s been really cold. As it is, the weather widget thingy says 3 degrees (Celcius, of course), and there’s a powdery icon above it. Snow? It can’t be, because the only thing that’s happening outside is the freezing wind. I check again. Oh well, it’s back to that usual moon+clouds icon. Tomorrow’s forecast puts the highs at 6, lows at -6. You’ve got to be kidding me. I almost froze my nose off just walking 5 minutes to the main campus building in weather around 5 or 6 degrees.

My glasses tilt slightly to one side. I guess the tape made it unbalanced. NOOOO. Perhaps it’s something to make me wear my contact lens more often.

Oh, and I sat through the school’s symphonic orchestra. While it obviously isn’t top class, they played some interesting, radical stuff. Like one poem-y thing where there were just strange background noises - including that of the “finger making circles on top of the glass” sound, you know, the kind of sound you’d make in restaurants just to annoy people (well, not that I’d ever do such a thing). That was pretty awesome. They also played some John Williams music, namely the Indiana Jones theme and Star Wars theme, which was also pretty cool.

Then I got back home, nearly freezing up halfway through the walk. And I snapped my glasses. And I … well … am sad. And angry that my glasses failed me. Oh, how could you have done this to me, glasses? I admit that I wasn’t very kind to you usually, but look, your older brother never snapped on me (and he’d served me far longer than your itsy-bitsy one year)! You’re just so… cruel and - and …. (I’ll stop here before it gets out of hand…)

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Day of Remembrance (and day after election)

Kind of weird, talking to a twelve-year-old while digging at the stubborn grass. 12 seems like a thousand years away - am I really that old? But it was pretty interesting, the kid wasn’t all that of a kid, but quite mature. In a way. How was I like at 12? I can’t really remember. Those years seem to be shrouded in a mist. Anyway, we used small spades and attacked the soil, hacking away at the grass roots that won’t seem to come out. It was supposed to be the start of a foot-wide path in the garden.

Good to be able to help. That’s part of the American culture, isn’t it? Helping people and doing community projects.

And of course, today marks a new beginning. Well, not quite so yet, but then there’s Obama, and I hope that America’s future will be brighter than ever, although I’m inclined to believe that the opposite will happen. I get a bit tired of all this politics talk. The world has been dissecting this election for months, and will be dissecting it for months after. But watch this video. It’s pretty awesome. I wonder what will happen if it came true…

Voting Machines Elect One Of Their Own As President

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Fall Break

All the hype about fall break is kind of baffling. After all, it’s only two days, plus a weekend. I don’t quite understand. But everyone asks, “What are your plans for fall break?” It was the question of the day for quite some time. But now that I’m in the middle of fall break, I have just realized how utterly unproductive it can be.

For one thing, I find myself stuck in my room for two entire days. I don’t really mind not going out, but it’s just that … well, it’s not really ‘living’, is it. At least I did two productive things - watching two movies that have been on my to do list for quite a while.

1. Silence of the Lambs: That was pretty spooky, but a brilliant movie nonetheless. The climax was bone-chilling. The actors were great. Hannibal Lecter is just a very compelling character. I wonder if he’d eat me for dinner - I’ll have to be not moronic and not some authority figure. Yes, the whole thing about serial killers is not exactly something to watch at night, especially when part of it takes place in Memphis, Tennessee, but still, a classic to be watched.

2. Schindler’s List: I’ve been wanting to watch for ever so long. And one word describes it: Intense. All the violence, the graphic scenes (if you watch it, you know what I mean). There is so much to be said behind it. Oskar Schindler was no saint, but he chose to do what was right. In case you don’t know what I’m talking about, Schindler hired Jews to work in his factory, essentially saving their lives. There are many great scenes throughout the movie, any of which that are infinitely sad, but it was the last scenes that brought tears to my eyes. It was kind of dramatic, but still… I couldn’t help tearing up. Liam Neeson (oh, so that was him! I’d never seen him in action before) as Schindler was just wonderful. And Ben Kingsley - yeah, the first time too seeing him in action.. I’d heard about these two actors before, but for some reason, never watched a movie with them in it. Wonder why.

Now I think I’d better get some homework done. Schindler’s List was just really awesome though, I must say again. Esp. the red-coat girl part. I didn’t get it at first, but then rewatching the burning scene, I realized that it was the turning point in Schindler’s mind. I think. Anyway, no more spoilers. Definitely not a movie for children though. I feel I have dirtied my mind somewhat watching it… but then it’s just too good to be missed..

Posted in School, TV/Movies | 1 Comment »

Random school thoughts

Strangely busy day, today. I barely had time - well I had time, but usually I have more time than this. As I walk around campus, I could see leaves turning brown. I didn’t think much about it, but then now I notice that brown/red leaves are pretty much everywhere. It’s fall (duh!). But it isn’t any cooler, still as summer-ish as it can be.

Had a talk during Christian Learning class, we were given a workbook sort of thing. I opened up the first page, and the huge words caught me. Hey, I know that! SMART goals! We learnt that in History Makers. Unfortunately though, I haven’t been making any goals. I’ve forgotten entirely about goals. I’m staring into the face of average-ness if I don’t start making goals.

I actually like my classes. Maybe the least liked would be the cultural studies, though. I mean, everything is pretty much going round in circles. And we have to think so much about it. Really, a little too much. It’s interesting in a way, but no, I’m not going to be a culturalist.

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The First Week Of School

Now that’s over, and it seems like time is really running along. I’ve run into some problems along the way, thankfully they all turned out well (I think). International people are always interesting, and I met a Korean girl who actually lent me a guitar (yay! so while I dream about my new guitar, I can have something to play). I heard Korean being spoken, and I must say, sounds beautiful. Yes, I’m pretty much a sucker for the sound of foreign languages. Korean reminds me of those Korean dramas, where one can literally fall asleep watching. The setting is usually of a guy and a girl, staring at each other in a most depressed manner (with silent tears rolling down cheeks, or something similar). And then you can switch to another channel, and come back later in a couple of minutes, but they’ll still be staring silently. That’s how boring it is. Of course, it’s all just an exaggeration, but you get the idea.

Back to the topic. Which I’m not quite sure what it is, but anyhow, the first week has gone by quite well, just the fact that I do not have my books yet - how expensive books are!! Even the used ones of the latest editions cost quite a bit. Every time I look at this money draining away, I think automatically of my future electric guitar. Now, now, what are necessities here? The things I have in mind cost well above 500. Makes my heart pain when I think of all the money I’m not spending on that 500…. yes, I have got my priorities a little topsy-turvy.

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The Real First Day of School

That was the fake real day. Today was the real day, as in classes. I wasn’t looking forward to it, to tell the truth, Americans scare me a little… Anyhow, turns out the two classes I had were mainly the international students (we were stuck with the same International Cultural Studies and English classes). So it was pretty ok.

I had to buy books online - I wasn’t going to get ripped off at the bookstore. I got one good bargain, one not so good bargain. Still I saved at least 40% from what I would’ve gotten from the bookstore. I hope it doesn’t get lost in the mail or I shall be in trouble. More classes tomorrow - a new set. Including gym - argh. But God has proven to be so amazing recently. Just got to trust in Him.

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First Day at school

It’s finally happening. For a while, through all the various stops and stays along the way, it seemed as if it would never happen. However, as time drags us along, I’m here, typing this in a teeny dorm room. It’s too early to assess the school, but it’s never easy, starting over. Everything is entirely new. No one knows you. I’ve read it over and over again, people talking about how it was like to start afresh. It’s a clean slate, like a second chance. But who changes that easily? It’d probably be the same in the end.

The dorm room is okay, not too bad. Small rooms - but each has one to his/herself. So it’s like an apartment-styled dorm. It is quite clean. Now I just need to find where is that big cockroach I caught sight of.

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Teachers

They come in so many varieties. Some are dearly loved and friendly. Those get tables heaped with presents on Teacher’s Day. But there are other teachers, who for one reason or another, are despised and never receive any presents.

Back in primary school - I must confess I do not remember much of it - there was a teacher who had the most crazy moods. Which included throwing tantrums - screaming, throwing books, overturning chairs… It was fortunate that I was good in English. If you weren’t good at it, you better watch out. The teacher would be all over you with the least mistake in class. My brother tells me occasionally the stories of the teacher. Swear words - stuff like the s-word - are common when the teacher is angry. More wrenching is the demeaning of the children. Stuff like, “you’re worthless”, “you’re bs” etc…

I think the teacher has grown more violent over the years…

But then there were other teachers too, that inspired and brought so much color to the dull classes. My former high school English teacher is brimming with sarcastic humor, something to look forward to on a boring day. My former science teacher is everybody’s favourite teacher - despite having favourites in the class. (I remember during exams, the teacher would actually tell me a few answers… which made me feel guilty. Is that called cheating?)

You can’t doubt that they do influence your life. Even from teaching to mentoring. They always say teachers are the most important figures. I say, not every teacher is that important. Some I rather not have.

Just a little extra which has nothing to do with teachers. I saw this article on digg. Totally weird. link

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STMS English

It’s suddenly 2008, I know I haven’t touched this blog in ages, due in part to laziness. Anyway, the past month I was in school, well, still around my home compound, but in the hostel. Which sucked in the beginning, but became better because you know, you eventually get used to something no matter how terrible. I think.

One month isn’t such a long time, come to think about it, even if I was thinking in the beginning: ‘This is going to be the longest month of my life.’ But it wasn’t. It may well be the shortest. So many things happened - actually, one huge thing happened that isn’t worth reiterating.

I’m rambling on here. First things first. What is STMS? It’s Short Term Missions School, a special course created by MTS. There are four versions, STMS Chinese (v1.0), STMS Iban (v2.0), STMS English (v3.0), and STMS College (v3.5). The one I joined is only one month compared to the others.

So what do we do there? We go to classes, learn about different aspects of Christian life and the likes. We live in a great Christian community, surrounded by wonderful people generally after God’s heart.

And what’s the point of it? To learn. To grow in Christ, to get closer to Him. The entire course climaxes in the missions trip - for us, a 6 day 5 night trip to 3 different longhouses.

Ok, so what did you learn? Well, spiritual warfare never seemed so real and alive. I saw the importance of prayer and personal time with God. Nothing else is worth deleting that daily quiet time with God from our schedules. We failed in that aspect, and allowed the devil a foothold. But God works his own miracles, and in His time, we found freedom.

Well, any incident worth mentioning? There was the night at the longhouse. The electricity generator was shut down, and in the darkness, the rain roared above our heads. Oh, I love thunderstorms, but this one - this had a different vibe. Water leaked from the tin roof and you know how tin roofs can magnify the thundering of rain. So what I was trying to say is, we’d just been wearied by fighting in the day, and it seemed like the forces of evil were having the advantage at that time. The most beautiful thing in the entire situation (yes, beauty can be found mostly anywhere, anytime) was that those around me were praying aloud. Crying out above the storm in a intense fervency.

The next night, instead of thunderstorms, the skies were lit by stars. The funny thing was, only above our area were the skies clear. Far into all other directions, thick clouds blocked the stars. It was simply breathtaking. Like God was saying, ‘Have faith in me, it’ll all be alright.’ It was a great comfort to our battered and sore souls.

Is that all? Hardly. But it’ll do no good to bother you with too long an essay. So I end here.

Okay, last question, I promise. Why aren’t there any pictures? It’s like so boring, who will read it? That’s an extremely good question. I mean it. Well, I didn’t really take any pictures of the entire thing on my part, and even if there are pictures, they’re only of the graduation part. So why I don’t put them here? Because 1. the camera is quite far. 2. the computer’s usb hub sucks. 3. I’m not going to spend precious time trying to make the camera connect, i.e. let the computer ‘discover’ that there’s something in its usb hub. 3. uploading pictures too takes some effort.

But just to appease your appetite for pictures, here is one.

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