NOCEBO

i've been walking a lot lately.. mostly on errands. like buying comic books (Fables was out two weeks ago!!!) and shoes. it's nice to chill in a crappy cafe and read a book, except that the bums stare at you (they're in there getting out of the cold, too). so it's kinda weird.

weather lately has been horrible. -10 today, and the snow attacked me. very uncool. i really miss the warmth... i can't believe i'm saying it, but i do. final exam in 4 days. then another 5 days, and i leave. for vanny.

another thing i sorely miss is scrabble--goddamn it. they sunk literati and now scrabble is region-locked? ridiculous. looking forward to some seriously good games when back... on boards, and online.

pretty video... i think i like the band so much because of the piano. funny. i don't remember when i used to be so hung up on melodies.. but the piano is absolutely gorgeous on 'Someone to Save You'. will be getting the CD :)

feeling a bit depressed right now. no radio... no sound system, either. dad has been taking my room apart for the long vaunted renovations.. so i'm left with.. itunes. and a functional net connection *grin* not.. much, still.

feeling a bit depressive today. why? must have been really tired out by yest...... sitting in my messy room with all the lights on. it makes the room feel bigger, this way.

cold isn't better.. must be because i haven't slept before 6 the past few days, trying to complete that damn ()#@#!@ FFVII game. (it's really good, btw). went for UT talk today and was sniffing the whole day and not feeling very social.... honestly, it's hard being friendly when your nose thinks it's a tap. got to know a few people today and... i think i learnt a bit more about the uni i'm going to. or did i? i have more or less resolved that i shall arrive in a fluster of documents and papers and atm cards and hopefully.... find everything in order in short order. or something close to it. there was this woman at the uni talk who identified herself as a "parent of a 2nd year student there". she was most helpful--offered her number "in case [we] need anything in Toronto". the hard-sell came right after though, when she recommended we use the bank she was working at in Toronto, AND the services of a "friend" who runs a bed-and-breakfast hostel........ huh. pleasure to meet you too, lady.


tbh, i was actually rather looking forward to being an introvert in UT, holed up in the school library, sightseeing or just doing my own research late into the night in my uber-cozy refurbished hotel dorm. i'm beginning to take my work a bit more seriously.

was talking to a friend when i realised that i don't really have any passion for what i do. i enjoy reading; that's about it. the rest is all academic; it's fun i guess. but i don't really Love it.... i am more partial towards linguistics actually, and in an ideal world i would love to do a double degree in Language and Lit. it seems, though, that such options are only available to the well-connected (PSC) or the well-heeled (the parents-funded who can skip 2 years of JC to do a direct 4 year degree). the rest of us just go through the system.... like processed peaches in a cannery.

i'm going to miss NUS. the new writing centre is gorgeous; and i have plans for so many things i would like to do.

ps: i made an interesting Linguistic discovery! i was talking to my Linguistess about how Canadian accents have this intonation at the end of sentences that makes statements sound like questions. apparently it's called "talking up". it's good for engaging people, certainly, especially if you're supplying them information and you want to know if they're getting you. it makes me uncomfortable really.. because i get really conscious about the way i speak. god help me if i start speaking in a bastardised accent when i come home. i don't even Sound typically singaporean.. whatever i pick up will be horrible.

"i, like, bought a sweater because it's really cold in canada (?)."
in pinyin i guess it sounds like the 2nd intonation.. the one that goes up like /. yea.

Scrabulous Disappears From Facebook
... at least in the US and Canada.

am appalled. i was going to buy a new travel scrabble set to take around... but you know what? screw you, Mattel/Hasbro. that money is going to my psp fund, cuz you bastards just don't deserve it.

started packing my room... feeling a bit.. morose? i never did get my room revamped, albeit having wanted to for almost a year. there's just too little time, and too many other things to do before i go. i am not really prepared for 4 months abroad. there's too much i can't leave behind.. and yet, it is the best choice (ultimately). it's always wasteful to give up new experiences, and it doesn't get any more unique than 1/3 of a year away from hearth and home (thank god). i'm quite keen on my next term in nus actually so i guess it's good to.. wait?

been listening to trashy music lately... it's all about the Hook, really, even if there isn't very much substance behind it. i like this song though. if i were boozed enough i would dance..

going to singfest on sunday!! :D wheeeeee!!! there's something there for everyone.. rick astley, too, for the geriatric.

If i could be like that
i would give anything
just to live one day in those shoes
if i could be like that
what would i do? what would i do?

Attachment is coming to an end... one last presentation tomorrow and then i'm free!! :D it's been a blast, really. my mentor was asking me what i planned to do with my last month of freedom (since i quite resolutely declined to extend my time there as a paid relief teacher). i said i planned to read a lot, go jogging, cycling, watch shows. she was quite surprised... jogging? reading? but Yeah.. since term ended i haven't had the time to actually read anything. it's funny, really. you read 15 books a term just for your major (and that is if you do the standard workload of 3 lit modules) and that.. burns you. it's terribly, terribly exhausting. all sem i feel like a tall tree in a thunderstorm.. just swaying in the breeze enough to not get hit by a bolt. now, i think i'll go fly a kite...... :) there's a nice open patch near the tampines station..

car crashes, tv shows...

one of the things i would really like catch up on is sitting in all day and watching tv serials. but first... a good sleep. then a long, long run...... i used to think of running as an active metaphor for running away from things. now i feel like i am running towards them.