Friday, December 21, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Ba Chor mee
Been reading classics lately. Their use of language never fails to turn me into a romantic. Currently i am reading "Woman in white" by Wilkie Collins. Its like a suspenseful victorian love story. Sigh i feel for all the characters and how the author manages to portray them each with their own unique and powerful personalities. The book was written in a first person narrative and so each person has their own way of putting their words down. How the author could assume each and every person he thought of... comes down to an overactive imagination or deep down desire to be someone else. Ha, what i enjoyed was the gentlemanly ways of that period and how people choose honor and faith as the utmost importance to keep. Or should i say how authors like to portray people of that time? I would not have known. I was born too late, in a world which has done away with much of these and for the sake of convenience? i really wonder.
Just letting my thoughts wander since i could not get to sleep these few days.
Now theres a knot in my heart if i should go back home or stay in UK. Above all i miss toa payoh kuay teow.
Its an interesting time to be in!
Just letting my thoughts wander since i could not get to sleep these few days.
Now theres a knot in my heart if i should go back home or stay in UK. Above all i miss toa payoh kuay teow.
Its an interesting time to be in!
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Time in manchester
Old trafford, where all Man United fans will wanna come to.
Thanks much to Richmond and Gregory, who made my stay in manchester all the more enjoyable. please come to glasgow to visit!
Chinatown. Food here is the closest to home. But it still can't beat Singapore.
This is all apart from my mission in manchester, to find out about Montgomery house!! lol it was quite a shock to find out. but, i guess its out of my hands.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Thursday, October 18, 2012
if i was a plane
If i was a plane, i would be able to observe everything below me. but would i be the smartest? or the most well informed? Do i only look at the surface of the world, yet know nothing beneath? Would i feel that people needs to be controlled, or should they roam free?
2 sides of an extreme. is never good for anybody. Like a plane you can fly. Like a plane you can land. when do we fly? when do we land? how do we fly? how do we land?
2 sides of an extreme. is never good for anybody. Like a plane you can fly. Like a plane you can land. when do we fly? when do we land? how do we fly? how do we land?
if i know this, i would be a pilot.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Sunday, October 14, 2012
looking in.
”When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar and the 2 Beers.
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. Th
A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. Th
ey agreed that it was.
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.
Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.“
The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'
The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand.The students laughed..
'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff.
'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.
If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.
Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn.
Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.
One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.“
The thing i think we should be concerned about however, is the mayonnaise jar. Find the biggest one and put all of earth's golfballs and sand and rocks in. Having the right mayonnaise jar is the answer.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
讨论
今天和一些中国朋友谈了我们的未来的话题。
他们就说男人就是先立业再成家。
就说我现在的目标只是要做我想做的事情再成家。
可他们却说“那还不是一样？先立业再成家吗 ？”
说了这话时，我发现了我们之间的文化差异。
从这里我能想出的见解：
他们的思想还是属于比较传统的， 相信立业就是打好一个经济基础。就是说把“自己想要做的事” 当成“立业” 来看待。
可我认为“自己想做的事” 和 “立业” 是两种不同的事情。 “自己想做的事” 存为 自己付出责任。 而“立业” 是为 家庭付出的责任。
他们就说男人就是先立业再成家。
就说我现在的目标只是要做我想做的事情再成家。
可他们却说“那还不是一样？先立业再成家吗 ？”
说了这话时，我发现了我们之间的文化差异。
从这里我能想出的见解：
他们的思想还是属于比较传统的， 相信立业就是打好一个经济基础。就是说把“自己想要做的事” 当成“立业” 来看待。
可我认为“自己想做的事” 和 “立业” 是两种不同的事情。 “自己想做的事” 存为 自己付出责任。 而“立业” 是为 家庭付出的责任。
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Forrest Gump
I watched Forrest Gump today. It was a beautiful movie.
What was interesting was the anecdotes given by Gump's mom such as "stupid is as stupid goes". These are condensed wisdoms of life in a world filled with inequality and strife.
The movie took so many elements of american history and incorporated them into the life of 1 person and from it there is a window for us to look into america and all at the same time generating a compelling storyline.
I could understand the movie from more perspectives as i take lessons in intercultural studies and introduction to british society. I do believe they are beneficial courses to a person's holistic growth.
-----------------------------------
And then i think:
After all, we live in the same world. What we do should be aimed at the sustainability and diversity of life.
What was interesting was the anecdotes given by Gump's mom such as "stupid is as stupid goes". These are condensed wisdoms of life in a world filled with inequality and strife.
The movie took so many elements of american history and incorporated them into the life of 1 person and from it there is a window for us to look into america and all at the same time generating a compelling storyline.
I could understand the movie from more perspectives as i take lessons in intercultural studies and introduction to british society. I do believe they are beneficial courses to a person's holistic growth.
-----------------------------------
And then i think:
After all, we live in the same world. What we do should be aimed at the sustainability and diversity of life.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Kitchen woes.
OHH, i can't stand my own kitchen. All guys.. sigh..
Dad, i understand how you feel now. But when u look at my kitchen, my general hygiene could be seen as 1st world in a medical facility.
may have to put off cooking.
Dad, i understand how you feel now. But when u look at my kitchen, my general hygiene could be seen as 1st world in a medical facility.
may have to put off cooking.
Friday, October 5, 2012
School Trip to understand more about British Culture
The 1st stop was St enoch station subway. This subway is the 2nd oldest in the world and it used to work in the manner of horse carriages. imagine the stench and filth of the underground coupled with the horses' manure. Oh the terror!!
out we came to the city centre. Noise and sights. there was an equivalent of a pasar malam out there, a open market? But it is not what we came here to see. Mr mervyn told us if you want to see Glasgow, look at the top of the buildings. I saw, the architecture was amazing. But then again, it is europe we are talking about.
Digressing, Glasgow buildings are victorian, perhaps it is during that era they were the richest and most important city in Europe.
Then walked by River clyde, which opened up a booming shipbuilding industry in Glasgow, a contribution to its wealth then. But now, not anymore. However, i see much potential for development along the river, like making it into Clarke Quay in singapore.
We reached Glasgow Green, the 1st public park ever in Europe. I wonder if there were ever such distinctions in Asia. Meaning previously there were no parks available for the public to use! I wonder about those undeveloped parts of greenery, meaning they were not for the public? Why did europe make such distinctions?
On to a museum i couldnt remember the name of but it had a winter garden. Showed us the life in glasgow back in the 1800s-1900s. I like their poor houses then, they really had an idea of what a house should be like even if they are dead poor.
Then the trek to the Church of Scotland. Beautiful stained glass.
To a Bishop's residence, not impressive.
Scotland is a place that never had to contend with overpopulation.
All in all as of now, i still could not take everything in. I am still a chinese and have my ethnicity programmed into me since i was a kid. Its great to learn about different cultures, but i havent learned to fully appreciate it.
out we came to the city centre. Noise and sights. there was an equivalent of a pasar malam out there, a open market? But it is not what we came here to see. Mr mervyn told us if you want to see Glasgow, look at the top of the buildings. I saw, the architecture was amazing. But then again, it is europe we are talking about.
Digressing, Glasgow buildings are victorian, perhaps it is during that era they were the richest and most important city in Europe.
Then walked by River clyde, which opened up a booming shipbuilding industry in Glasgow, a contribution to its wealth then. But now, not anymore. However, i see much potential for development along the river, like making it into Clarke Quay in singapore.
We reached Glasgow Green, the 1st public park ever in Europe. I wonder if there were ever such distinctions in Asia. Meaning previously there were no parks available for the public to use! I wonder about those undeveloped parts of greenery, meaning they were not for the public? Why did europe make such distinctions?
On to a museum i couldnt remember the name of but it had a winter garden. Showed us the life in glasgow back in the 1800s-1900s. I like their poor houses then, they really had an idea of what a house should be like even if they are dead poor.
Then the trek to the Church of Scotland. Beautiful stained glass.
To a Bishop's residence, not impressive.
Scotland is a place that never had to contend with overpopulation.
All in all as of now, i still could not take everything in. I am still a chinese and have my ethnicity programmed into me since i was a kid. Its great to learn about different cultures, but i havent learned to fully appreciate it.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Dilemma
From what i can make of his stand is that there are two reasons for me being unable to change from a 3-term to a 2-term course.
1: Visa - UKBA does not approve of the change two 2-term, that being duration of visa is unable to be shortened for tier4 general students.
However, a check on UKBA website says that i may be able to change to a 2-term course:
"If you want to do a different course of study with your education provider
You do not need to get our permission if you want to do a different course of study with your Tier 4 sponsor and the new course will finish before your current permission to stay expires. Your Tier 4 sponsor will tell us that you have changed course.
If your new course will end before your permission to stay expires, you must tell us by sending an email message to migrantreporting@ukba.gsi.gov.uk."
The only thing is that i am pursuing the same course except that it is a 2-term course instead of a 3-term one.
2: Kaplan policies - That, i cannot argue with that. They are a commercial giant. end of story.
But it really boils down to whether i would like to go back to singapore this year. Cos if i take a 2 term course,which ends in may, i have to go back no matter what cos my new term in uni only starts in sep. UKBA has a policy that we can apply for a visa only 3 months before the start of a new term.
I would prefer to stay in Glasgow.
The reason i would like to change to a 2 term course is because i hoped that i would be able to get a refund on my tuition fees and accomodation fees since they are shortened. and i would use the refund to get a cheaper accomodation somewhere else, cos my current one is twice the market price! If i pay a bit more i can get a budget hotel and i dont have to make my bed. haha. AND also buy a new lens hehe. I guess these plans have to be scrapped.
So i would like your opinions on whether these reasons are justified.
My new 3 term course is that for the 1st term, i study british culture and personal development and intercultural studies. the remaining 2 would be what i would be doing for the 2 term course. so in effect the course intensity is the same as the 2 term except i get a buffer period for the 1st term. However i think that this "new course" is a hastily assembled one.
The course is called "enhanced university preparation". haha.
1: Visa - UKBA does not approve of the change two 2-term, that being duration of visa is unable to be shortened for tier4 general students.
However, a check on UKBA website says that i may be able to change to a 2-term course:
"If you want to do a different course of study with your education provider
You do not need to get our permission if you want to do a different course of study with your Tier 4 sponsor and the new course will finish before your current permission to stay expires. Your Tier 4 sponsor will tell us that you have changed course.
If your new course will end before your permission to stay expires, you must tell us by sending an email message to migrantreporting@ukba.gsi.gov.uk."
The only thing is that i am pursuing the same course except that it is a 2-term course instead of a 3-term one.
2: Kaplan policies - That, i cannot argue with that. They are a commercial giant. end of story.
But it really boils down to whether i would like to go back to singapore this year. Cos if i take a 2 term course,which ends in may, i have to go back no matter what cos my new term in uni only starts in sep. UKBA has a policy that we can apply for a visa only 3 months before the start of a new term.
I would prefer to stay in Glasgow.
The reason i would like to change to a 2 term course is because i hoped that i would be able to get a refund on my tuition fees and accomodation fees since they are shortened. and i would use the refund to get a cheaper accomodation somewhere else, cos my current one is twice the market price! If i pay a bit more i can get a budget hotel and i dont have to make my bed. haha. AND also buy a new lens hehe. I guess these plans have to be scrapped.
So i would like your opinions on whether these reasons are justified.
My new 3 term course is that for the 1st term, i study british culture and personal development and intercultural studies. the remaining 2 would be what i would be doing for the 2 term course. so in effect the course intensity is the same as the 2 term except i get a buffer period for the 1st term. However i think that this "new course" is a hastily assembled one.
The course is called "enhanced university preparation". haha.
Thursday, September 20, 2012
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