Halloween, '07 - Part II

Trick-or-treaters just caused me to jump out of my skin now. I literally whimpered like a dog.

Goals were not achieved. Didn't even try. Punishment will follow.

I quote from "Californication":
Girl: "Daddy, are you ok?"
Hank: "No, honey... but I'm working on it."
Unfortunately Hank's messed up life continues. Oh well. It has to. Otherwise, there would be no show right?

I want rules. I can take the monsters. Let's implement the rules again.

---
Note: No sarcasm used in this post.

Cannot Cope.

Not anymore.

Had coffee with a friend this morning. It was really good catching up, had a really stimulating conversation that made me think. I will continue thinking about it when I'm more awake.

At the moment though, I have more pressing issues to worry about. Everywhere I go I need to be on the look-out now. Libraries are strictly off-limits. Can stay at home only if locked in my room and make zero noise. Maybe I'll sleep in my car tonight.

Someone(s) lied for me today. Thanks - a lot. I couldn't handle it today.

Halloween, '07.

I was told I motivate myself through wanting to avoid negative results/consequences rather than through wishing for positive results/consequences. Not sure if that's true. Could be. "Good", is too high of a standard to achieve. And, I strongly dislike punishment.

Goals for today, to prevent aimless wandering:
- Summarize all PDC lecture notes.
- Re-read all PDC tutes.
Punishment will result if goals are not achieved.

I have worked out why I'm not getting enough sleep these days. Lectures have finished, and thus, I am getting approx. 2 less hours of sleep everyday (i.e. 4 lecs a day, if asleep for half, then that's 2 hours a day). Hmm.. maybe I should get more of the lecture recordings off Tuan and listen to them every night. No nightmares last night, though. That's good. Nightmares tonight though. Halloween, right?

Interesting quote of the morning: "If all goes well this morning, you should see me on Gmail". Currently 9:37am, mate. Awaiting your grand entrance.

8-day.

Told someone that I had an 8-day today. They messaged me later and told me they were raelly happy for me. That actually meant a lot. A lot a lot. Thanks, mate.

Oh, and just for your information, 10 min before the day was over, I remembered our lil random act thing, so I quickly whipped out my phone and sms-ed someone to tell them that I reckon they're pretty awesome. Hope you didn't forget, matey!!

Got heaps of work done this morning/afternoon. Also had an extraordinarily filling lunch. And a very good and relaxing evening. =)

Tomorrow, I can already forsee being used again. Sighhhhh. The things I do for people. I shake my head every time I think about it. But hey, that's tomorrow.

Today, on the other hand, is 8-day. Yayyyy.

Oct 28, '07

According to my clever housemate, listening to the opera boosts your brain activity. As a result, I am looking for a kind volunteer to call me up for about five minutes every night and sing to me, opera-style. Just for the next three weeks or so. Until exams end. Any applications from Ms Beyonce Yee will be automatically rejected. =D

It's really handy living so close to coursemates. Can just wander over at 11:30pm and borrow notes.

I've found a potentially new stress-relieving device. The wii. I've never actually played it before. Watched some people play it today, though. Lots of games - bowling, tennis, whatever. This boxing game was rather interesting. Apparently, the electronic sensor vibrates when you "hit/box" someone. This could be potentially rather stress-relieving. A rather expensive device, though. And, it's not something I find very fun at all. Guess I'll stick to apple throwing in Princes Park for now.

Appreciating people that tell me they don't get it. Because, those that think they get it when they clearly don't are just irritating. If you think I'm talking about you, I'm not. Cuz, this time, those which I am directing this to are ones I am almost completely certain don't read this blog.

Raising voices is GREAT. I love it. We're doing that quite a bit in our house right now. Our house seriously cracks me up.

There is a conversation I must have in the near future. Not particularly feeling like having it. But, third time I'm doing it, though, in the last year or so, so not a worry. I probably have a routine now, as ridiculous as it is. Seriously don't know how I get myself into these situations.

Apparently I have a new undercover secret blog reader. GOOD EVENING, SIR!! =D. Hope you are enjoying "mutual friend". =D

Deepest sympathies go out to Ms. My-Car-Windows-Got-Smashed-Today. Hope all works out.

Housemate is deciding that undressing in the kitchen is the new way to go. Fannnntastic.

2 Goals.

I have set two goals for the next few weeks:

- Goal 1: Get over 80% in bionano.
- Goal 2: Get over 90% in process dynamics.

THAT'S RIGHT. H1 is NOT good enough. NO WAY, man.

Any normal person reading this will think I'm insane. One of those nerds, you know. H1 isn't good enough. Need to get 100, that sort.

However. It's not like that at all. I'm not one of those that stay in the Ballileu till 3am. In fact, I haven't even begun studying for exams. It's more that these goals might give me focus. Make me feel like I'm going somewhere, or have somewhere to go. To stop wandering around aimlessly.

Hence these ridiculous goals. Hmmm. In fact, I think the 80% for bionano is harder than the 90% in process. But, whatever.

Nevertheless, I still think I only need to study for about two hours a day. Only 2 exams, spread out so evenly that it's insane. Studying more than that will be detrimental. There was a law about this. Law of diminishing returns or something. Some economics thing I learnt in high school.

Fannnntastic.

On another note, I have decided to redefine the word "good". From now on, when I say good, I am going by the following definition:
Good = anything that will not lead to disastrous outcomes.

I have been engaging in many good activities. Although the unnamed activities may be considered also as ridiculous, absent-minded, dangerous, not sensible, aimless - they are all, according to the new definition, GOOD.

Fannnntastic.

All's good, all's dandy.

---

P.S. Please try to sense the sarcasm in the appropriate places of this post. THANKS.

Insights From Yesterday

- Victorian police are great. Love them. Really nice people. You should go and have a chat with them if you have nothing better to do.
- Do not SMS people when you feel like you want to kill someone. You will regret it.
- Received 3 fines in the last 3 days. Terrific.

Now to move on to the other side of the 1:1 balance:

- Got to use a breathalyser. Never done that before. Always wondered how they worked - how long you had to breathe in for, etc. Interesting.
- Got a H1 on assignment that we were supposed to spend 4 weeks working on that I did in 3 days.
- Someone let me throw things around their room last night. Perhaps the most helpful thing anyone did yesterday. Thanks, mate.

1:1

All this think positive stuff is too difficult for me. Going to do a 1:1 thing. 1 positive for every negative. Will be slightly easier.

-ve: Oliver got hurt last night. Nothing major, but he was crying last night and I woke up to him crying this morning too.
+ve: Jia Hui made good baked pasta last night. "Meet the boyfriend" night was interesting.

-ve: Almost no sleep last night.
+ve: 9 hours of sleep the night before.

-ve: ExxonMobil lady called just now and I was in a very distressed state. Didn't make a good impression at all.
+ve: She had very good news for me.

-ve: $@@*(&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
+ve: Struggling to think of a positive for this. But I will. It'll come.

1:1.

Balance is good.

!!!!*@($&*(#@&(!!!!!!!!

Stop asking me for advice. I'm messed up.

Unless you want me to mess you up too, go ask someone else. It's for your own good.

---

You are choosing to pretend that all things are good. You are choosing to pretend that all things are dandy. That's how you're choosing to roll.

Fine, I can deal with it.

Secretly, though, in my head, I am yelling.
Secretly, behind the calm face, I am cursing.
Secretly, I am wanting to throw something at you every time I see you walk by.

Should've gone with my gut feeling ages ago.
Should've turned around when I saw the mess that lay ahead.
Should've listened to the people that warned me what was going to happen.

Whatever. That's the past. It's too late now. It's cool, though. I can pretend. I can act. All's good, all's dandy.

Except that I won't trust you ever again.

Happy Week 12.

No classes tomorrow. Classes on Friday cancelled. It is Week 12. Third year uni classes - complete.


Apparently I'm going to marry Char's boyfriend on an oil rig. Sounds like a plan.

Tonight's plans cancelled.

Good stuff cont...

I have further good stuff to add to the list from today:

- Housemates crack me up. Seriously. Looking through my housemate's room's door, with her desk crowded with serious looking law-related coursework (thick binders, textbooks, papers underlined and hilighted everywhere) - clearly belonging to a serious student... and then housemate just sitting there, in front of her glowing pink laptop, merrily watching and singing to "Stupid Cupid" by Mandy Moore.
- Afternoon well-spent "having a cuppa", as someone nicely put it, sitting on the grass at uni, under the warm sunshine, watching people slowly wander by.
- Made a killer fish dish for dinner. Watch out, people, 22/21 Lytton St can do more than beef rice now.

Laughter is good. Laughing more this semester than last semester. Thanks, Char. =)

Good stuff.

Wrote something else just now. Decided not to post it. Not appropriate. Sigh.

Remembering Dad's recommendation of writing something positive everyday, especially if things aren't fine and dandy. Something about the power of the mind. Felix 2 is shortly going to recommend me some other things as well. In the meantime, I will stick to the positive thinking:

- CU dinner last night was fantastic. Good to catch up with everyone. There were some rather funny speeches as well.
- Made a few people genuinely laugh today. Forgot how that felt like. Haven't heard the words "You're funny" in a very long time. Of course, I realize that by funny, they meant lame. But I like lame. Lame is good. =)
- 2 subjects down. Feeling very relaxed now uni-wise - should be a relaxed SWOTVAC and exam period.
- Fully slept (and dreamed) in my 8am class today, which is not good, but actually stayed awake in the 11am class. It was the last Process Dynamics class ever. I actually liked that class. Funny lecturer.
- Fast bike rides on chilly mornings can do a lot. I highly recommend.
- Someone called this morning to check that I was alive. Not that they thought I had literally stopped breathing. Those were the words they used though. It is nice when people notice things.
Some of the contents of the MUCESS magazines were rather funny this year. Perhaps the readers of this blog may not agree. Us chemical engineering students thought they were funny though. Yes, we're lame =) Some exercepts:

You know you're a chemical engineer if:
- You can size a distillation column in your head, but need a pencil and paper to figure the tip on a $45 restaurant bill.
- You stare at an orange juice container because it says CONCENTRATE.
- You'd really like to have a T-shirt that says "Chemical Engineers Do It In Fluidised Beds".

Female engineers...
- Don't think of male engineers as dorks.
- Are the only ones smart enough to enter into a field that is 95% male.
- Have used nail polish remover for more than just removing nail polish.
- Know the value of hairspray's flammable properties.

Haha. I like the last one. Careful of that hairspray. Dangerous stuff.

Would like say a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to two people today - my I-would-like-to-marry-my-lasagne-HOUSEMATE, and to my I-read-comics-at-work-and-talk-nonsense-on-MSN-BUDDY. Hope your day rocks. =)

Think positive. Or don't think at all. Better than the third alternative.

Good stuff.

The Battlefield.

I am tired of having eggs thrown at. Tired of it, sick of it, just bridge-built OVER it.

I guess I should blame myself. I mean, think about it. How come most people have yolk-free faces?

One reason is that some people are clever. They have skill. They have shields that prevent eggs from splattering onto their faces. Their dodging abilities are sensational - their bodies can jump, flex, do whatever is required when millions of eggs come flying their way.

Others, like me, are not that skilled. Thus, they choose to position themselves in less obvious places. Not get themselves in the front line, not be such open targets. In fact, most, in this category, choose to walk off the egg-throwing battlefield.

Why don't I do this? Why don't I walk away? The problem is, it's an important battle I'm fighting, and one which I am counted on. No, not trying to be cocky or arrogant. I am counted on not because I am particularly skilled. No outstanding intellect either, nothing like that at all. But for certain reasons, I am needed. Thus, in the battlefield I stay.

That doesn't mean that I'm not sick of having eggs thrown at, though. It doesn't mean that the eggs don't hurt.

---

P.S. Completely off topic - but if anyone has a thin blanket they can lend me for a week or so, that would be greatly appreciated. Having trouble sleeping because of the hot weather. Thanks.

Cooking Lesson.

UNBELIEVABLE.

SERIOUSLY. How difficult is it to cook an egg??

Look, we're NOT asking for a fancy salmon and mushroom omlette. Don't even have to scramble it. Just chuck in some oil, crack the thing open, and FRY THE THING. If you can't do that, then HARD-BOIL IT. Don't tell me now you don't know how to boil water.

FOR GOODNESS SAKE. SERIOUSLY.

If you REALLY can't do ANY of that, then store the eggs in the fridge, and wait for someone to come home and cook it for you. If that's not going to happen, THROW IT IN THE BIN.

Just don't throw the eggs.

Stop throwing the eggs.

It's wasteful.

It hurts.

Oct 18, '07

Good EVENING, ALL!!!!!!!

Yes, I do realize that it is currently Oct 19, not Oct 18. But, will be writing about Oct 18, hence the title of the post.

Woke up this morning (i.e. yesterday morning) feeling FANNNNNNTASTIC. Not sure what got into me. Must be sniffing too much of housemate's mountain dew. Makes people a bit insane.

Work was not interesting today. HOWEVER. I am QUITE the peptide weigher. If anyone needs peptides weighed up to 0.1mg accuracy, please do not hesitate to call 0411 363 296. 24 hour service. Almost as good as Sydney Services. HI CHAR. How are the DUMPS and MASSAGES going??

Timmy's been causing me quite a lot of hassle. Went missing yesterday, fell on the ground today and injured himself. Hence, I left him at uni, will deal with him tomorrow.
*Note: To all those who may think otherwise, Timmy is not a person.

Witnessed a car crash today. Was on the phone, hearing about some burnt pasta antics when I saw a car run right into the side of another car when attempting a U-turn. Not pleasant.

Had a rather nonsensical conversation tonight. Happens quite a bit when both parties are in a good mood. Amongst all the nonsense, there were some interesting points. Apparently, and I quote, "people are too complicated for their own good", and thus, "everyone should just go back to the good old days of living in caves". Also, according to this oh-so-wise-and-intelligent-someone, hindsight is worth all the jewels in the world. If people can have it before things happen. =D GOOD STUFF, MATE. I should read more comic books too.

Speaking of hindsight. Doesn't seem to work for me. Hasn't been, anyway. Oh well. Guess it correlates with the fact that I'm not too into jewellery. In the hindsight is worth jewels sense. Besides, no need to take jewellery too seriously.

Weekend coming. YAAAYYY!! Plans for weekend? Doncaster-ing Saturday. Armadal-ing Sunday. GOOD STUFF.

GOOD NIGHT, WACKY SIGHTS! =D

Flashback.

I often wonder why I don't give up on people. On nights like these, I remember why: everyone else has already given up - someone must hold on.

Had a flashback this evening. the same look. The same words. The same feelings.

Not good. Not good at all.

Oct 17, '07

Losing my memory. Thought I lost my bike today. Went outside, and it wasn't there. Didn't think it was likely someone managed to steal it off a tree. Thought I must've misplaced it. Was quite a task, going through my brain and attempting to remember where I went in the last few days. Apparently it was missing for two days and I only just noticed. Found it eventually, though. Just as well, because someone needed it this afternoon.

Went to Balwyn today. Interesting experience.

Conversation with Mr. Zackeroo.

Correct. I only made a post a couple of hours ago. But had a conversation just now that I feel is very post-worthy. In fact, I don't think I've ever posted a conversation up before. It's a first.

---

Zack: life is good?

me: thats a bit too much to ask. life is average.
yourself?

Zack: HAAH
LIFE IS GREAT
always living XXL
the only way I know how

me: xxl?

Zack: extra extra large

me: hahaha
yeah
i figured
hmm
interesting phrase

Zack: HA
w americans...weird bunch

me: righhhht. just BLAME IT ON YOUR COUNTRY
tsk tsk

Zack: HAHA
and I guess my mom :P
I've learned attitude is key in this life
sometimes you gotta trick yourself into looking at the positive, the mind is a strange beast

me: hm
and how do u trick urself into looking at the positive?
i aint too good at that zackeroo
mind not easily tricked

Zack: haha, make T chart, with the positives on one side and the negatives on the other
+ usually outweighs the negative. And if it doesn't, then you start making things up...
+1) I can breath fresh air +2) I can feel the water on my feet at the beach. here is one we both share...+3) I have Char in my life +4) I have a great job lined up for Exxon-Mobile +5) I live in a warm country+6) I can afford a computer to type on +7) I have seen more countries and sites than most people will ever see in their lives +8) I have two loving parents and friends that care +9) I can learn something new everyday +10) I can smile anytime I want...it is free!

me: awww zackman, you're awesmoe

Zack: +11) There is music in the world...and if you don't like it, create your own :)
AHHA, thanks dude, but the secret is....
you gotta realize YOU are as well
we are all capable of greatness and despair, it is just which side we choose to focus on and feed

me: how do you 'feed' greatness?

Zack: 1) surround yourself with positive role models 2) Learn as much as you can 3) Laugh often 4) blow off steam by playing sports 5) Help someone everyday 6) eat healthy so you feel good about yourself
7) Think of those who are not as fortunate as you are
8) Look fondly on the past
9) embrace the present, it is a gift
10) and look to the future with youthful optimism and excitement
These are all positivist human ideas I subscribe to. No religion in particular, just what seems to work for me and others
Be the best you can be, smile and the world will smile back
tell Char I said HIIIII

me: hahahaa....
thanks zack
you're a natural encourager
sleep well
KEEP SMILING

Zack: always Kei, Talk soon homie, BYE!!

me: BYE

Zack: OH yeah, one more. You have a skill in Chemical Engineering that more than half the world does not understand. Never forget you have abilities and attributes that no one else has...like HUMOR. You are unique and people will love you for it. Just stay strong during the dark days, and always know that we come out of those dark periods. They make all the positive days all the more sweet. Peace cousin.
---

A positive for today: Often times, when I'm not having a high-flying day, someone usually saves it. Be it a phone call, an email, a surprise visit, whatever. Today, it's Mr. Zackeroo. Thanks, matey. =)

Oct 16, '07

Good thing Ollie isn't keen on monsters. Too cool for that sort of stuff. Frank called today to ask about Ollie. Had nothing but good things to say to him.

Need. To. Stay. Awake. Really. Was told that maybe I am not eating enough red meat. Hmmmm. Should go and buy sausages for brekkie tomorrow.

Think of the one person who you would have died without this year/month/recent times. Or, in less exaggerated terms, the one person, who if was not around, would've made your life many times crappier. Then, go buy them a present. These people are rare.

If anyone knows the If-then-else function on the macros in Excel, feel free to share and care.

October 14, '07.

Another attempt in being crystal clear:

Had a lot to do this weekend. But been rather sleepy. Got a lot of sleep today. In fact, took a 3-hour nap in the afternoon. Still ready for bed, though.

Supposed to be doing these two assignments due mid-week. Instead, I still haven't started. I took a nap, as previously mentioned, then visited some friends in the afternoon, spent the evening, under the order and direction of my enthusiastic little sis, campaigning for Barb by mass spamming MSN and Facebook, and then just came home from visiting another friend. It Uni steadily lowering itself on the priority list - a recent trend.

About campaigning. That's an interesting thing. I received an email today from a friend, ending with the following Postscript:
"Once you've taken a break, can I hire you as my campaign manager when I run for inter-galactic President next year? The inhabitants of Jupiter are a little picky and I need someone to persuade them thatchoosing me will not lead to an apocalyptic disaster :)"
It has been good fun campaigning for Barb. Learnt a lot of random facts and had some good laughs with some people's replies. Got in touch with some people that I haven't talked to in quite awhile, too, which is good. Hardest thing, though, was probably having to sound so enthusiastic all the time in the emails.

Distractions are good.

The bizarre, random things that each day brings.

Seriously. Quite a lot, today.

Fell in love. His name's Oliver. He's handsome, he's cute. On top of good looks, he's powerful and hardworking. An important fact - he loves me too. The only problem is, Oliver is an inanimate object. Hmmm.

Random phone calls one receives. Just about ready to go to bed and person that never calls me randomly calls, freaking out on the other end. Quite interesting. Everyone needs someone who will listen to them.

Bizarre, unexplainable occurences that one hears about. Sometimes, it's better that you know what's going on. Most times, you don't want to know.

What next? Fibrils exploding?

Bizarre. Random. Makes things interesting.

---
PS. The non-metaphor writing style is not going well. Too tired to write the other way. Consumes too much brainpower. Will save those for days I have hours of free time at hand.

Drought Alleviation.

Someone told me that it's ok. Victoria's in drought. It's not ok, but at least I'm helping alleviate it.

Some people take shorter showers. Others install water tanks. Still others use recycled toilet water.

What do I do to help the drought?

I wake up.
I walk along the street.
I look at my computer screen.
I sit silently.
I breathe.

October 6, '07

Things learnt/remembered/re-emphasized today:
- Car dealers - tricky, tricky people.
- Han Gook Guan (Korean restaurant on Victoria St) - where not to be anonymous.
- Koko Black - mint martini.... "yumsters".

Too tired to write in more transparent language today. That'll do for now.

Abcdefg.

An Alternate Writing Style.

This, I imagine, will be a rather long post.

This blog has caused a lot of problems. The problems have lie in me and my writing style. Frequent readers will know that write in metaphors, and speak without naming names, on the whole. Or, if names are required, I will make up a name. Unfortunately, my writing style is not compabibile with some of my reader's reading style. Posts are often misinterpretted. As a result, I was going to stop blogging.

The thing is though, writing is very helpful to me, because, as I have said before, it focuses my mind into realizing what I am thinking. Additionally, the people that apparently like reading my bog discouraged me to stop blogging. Various pieces of advice was given - to password-protect the blog, or to try a different writing style that is less ambiguous and have the potential to cause conflict, for example. I tried putting in a password this morning - unfortunately, it wouldn't work, even after multiple attempts. Thus, for now, I will stick to an alternate writing style. I don't know how it will work. Chances are, it might be even worse. I'll give it a shot anyway.

I thought I would start by trying to describe my past 12 hours or so.

I was not feeling well last night. In fact, at one point, I threw a mug at my wall. It broke and hurt my hand. No, I do not do this all the time. But last night, I was not feeling good. I tried dealing with it myself. But I couldn't. The more I looked at it, the more I couldn't fix it. I decided to call up a friend. Couldn't get through to that friend, so I called another. It proved to be quite a helpful phone call, because as a result, I was calmed down and I was able to fix up the hand problem.

I was quite tired by the end of all of it, though, and hence was not able to review my prac report due today. This morning, when going through it, I realized I hadn't completed the drawings. In a slight frenzy, I quickly drew it all out, ended up getting to work late. Fortunately, though, I had finished most of the things I have to do at work yesterday, so being a bit late is probably ok.

This morning, things were not ok. I know talking helps, so I tried calling people, but the words just didn't come out.

In general, though, things are improving. I feel it. A few months ago, I could only remember looking forward to two things. Now, I can think of more:
1. Mum coming tomorrow.
2. Car shopping.
3. Seeing Aunty Wing again soon.
4. End of Week 12.
5. Starting ExxonMobil job.

Dad gave me a suggestion yesterday. He said to deliberately write a sentence or two everyday on a positive note. He says that if we think and believe in something, it will happen - it is the power of the brain. While I don't completely agree quite to that extent, I do know that thoughts play a large role on how we act, and hence indirectly what will happen.

So, walking to work today, I decided to think of the things I was most thankful for right that second. I was thankful for sunshine. I was thankful for family. The sun made me smile this morning. Family never leaves.

I'm not sure how this post will turn out. Usually, I would write the whole thing as a metaphor. Now, it is crystal clear.

Enough is enough.

I've had it with this NONSENSE. Ridiculous. Insane. NONSENSE.

#$*(&&$#*(&!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I wish things could be like how they used to be. Stupid wish, I know.

Just walk away. Not caring anymore. Not just saying it this time. Just GO. Why fix something that worths nothing? Why care about something that doesn't matter?

Right. Don't not wanting to talk to the world anymore. As of the next few days, this blog will be password protected.

Farewell, readers.

Mind-boggling.

Some things are just mind-boggling. Let's see...

Ordering the same dish at the same restaurant three-times consecutive, still being fully amazed at the wondrous effects it has on the tastebuds.

Bumping into a stranger on the street, then shrieking at a pitch unimaginable to man (or woman), fully scaring the stranger more than the initial scare from the bump.

Being a guest at someone's house, and insisting that they move over in their own bed to make room for you, and, as if that is not enough, upon jumping into it, deciding to roll around and leave kilograms of sand all over it.

Yes, some things boggle my mind. Makes nights like this interesting.

Oct 2, '07

I've been told quite a lot recently that I'm a good friend. Just because I send an email a day to various people on my contact list to ask them to vote for someone to be torch bearer in the '08 Olympics. Takes five minutes, max. If only that's really all it took to be a good friend. Hmm.

Most people that read this blog already know about the Olympics thing. If for some reason I neglected to email you, vote at:
http://pub1.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/torch/members.shtml?mid=149

It is in the Chinese culture to value family highly. Amongst all the celebrations of the last week, this was really hilighted, with all the heartfelt speeches made by various family members.

I've been asked by various classmates why I am always sleeping in class. I actually didn't realize I sleep that much. Yesterday, I made a conscious effort to stay awake in one of my classes, and noticed no one in the first five rows or so were sleeping. How that is possible is beyond me. I'm not concerned though. I am doing fine. Isn't it that sleep helps you absorb information anyway?

QLD is the sunshine state. NSW has the well-renowned opera house. But there's a reason VIC is "The Place to Be".