Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning..
We will remember them'
May we never forget the sacrifices made in WWI by the Anzacs
(the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps)
Sunday, April 25, 2004
'Lest We Forget'
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning..
We will remember them'
May we never forget the sacrifices made in WWI by the Anzacs
(the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps)
Friday, April 23, 2004
In-som-ni-ac
I love these guys. I've not laughed this hard in a looong time.
But damned if I know what's up with all the 'cakes'.
But damned if I know what's up with all the 'cakes'.
Thursday, April 22, 2004
Writing mood; on.
Although the time of relaxation in which I've been indulging lately is about to - nay, has to - end soon, it's done a whole bloody world of good.
Uni began again this week and I only ended up going in on Tuesday because I was sick on Monday. So I missed one RM3A lecture. Again. Second Monday Lecture I've missed in a row which is not fantastic since this is my second time around. And, to make that even more ridiculous (although at least this time, guilt-free), next Monday is a public holiday (ANZAC weekend) so that will make it the 3 for 3.
Tuesday was, to say the least, draining. Tolerable, but still draining. I was pretty keen to go in too, since I hadn't seen anyone all week break. I was all set, good mood and all. First lecture was sociology, which is generally ok, albeit a little sleepy at times because my lecturer is in the habit of rambling. I was only slightly bored since Travis and Adra are always great entertainment but then towards the end of the lecture, we had to watch 4Corners footage of the Rwandan massacre (the topic this week was Ethnic Cleansing). We were watching the testimonies made by some of the Hutu killers.
I don't know if I've ever watched anything so distressing in my whole life.
No, it wasn't extremely graphic (minus the shot after shot of bodies and bloodied streams - whether you would call that graphic, I suppose, is subjective), but... several times throughout the video, I wanted to cry and at the end, I was physically ill. The words of those talking didn't make things any better (sometimes describing what they actually did to people with more detail than was desirable). You could see they were remorseful and that they themselves, didn't seem to understand what they had been doing and why, outside of the basic hatred and wish to rid themselves of oppression. I won't go into any of it here... a woman who survived the killings at the church gave her account and I still want to cry just thinking about it.
The whole thing depressed me (I don't think I need to excuse myself for that). After studying Psych for 3 years, you stop asking how people can bring themselves to do that sort of thing. People are capable of anything. You certainly don't have to be a psych student to know that, you just have to watch the news. Of course, I can still ask why... but it doesn't make acknowledging these things any easier to swallow.
Adra and I were walking to stats and basically trying to work it through I guess... although the fact that stats was where we were headed didn't help things. My motivation was shot momentarily and listening to Melanie go over orthogonal contrasts was just a little too much. It's not an excuse, true, but my notes for that lecture are pretty poor. I also found that I was missing a page of the notes so that didn't help - ruddy printer - and I was also a little disappointed to find that a friend of mine wasn't there (Menchie and I are still in the process of trying to convince Reyna to come to class more often so I was glad to see her there though).
Those 3 painful hours finally done, I had a break and ended up having lunch with Mench, Mel and Kristine (who's still relatively new... only been here for a month! Hasn't stopped her from having already visited Taronga Zoo hehe). The mood was kinda sombre though because Mel wasn't well and we were all trying to help her out a bit. It was kinda nice towards the end though because almost everyone I hadn't seen in ages appeared from nowhere so I was talking to a lot of people (at different times that is. Travis rocked up and crashed eventually), but this meant that the others were sort of stuck watching. I felt bad, rude but stretched a little at the same time. I'm not the greatest at manning several conversations at once so I fall into (very self-consciously) ignoring people. Not nice.
Sociology tutorial. Death. I don't hate this subject. I brought it on myself anyway... you don't enrol in a socio class called 'Space of Terror' without expecting some pain. I was still reeling slightly from the video (yes, it takes me a while to get past things) and I didn't want to be there. Justin and Travis are cool though, so I don't mind talking to them about it all. My tutor is pretty cool too. I got to argue a bit with the American exchange student, Dean (slight crush... slight!) and then the rest of the time, discussed the prep questions with the others... typical tute. Nothing too shocking I guess. Then I got my essay back. I did hopelessly. I passed, yes, but I was upset. I'd worked hard on that essay and it was a slight knock. Plus, it's socio. I'm generally good at the subject. My mood basically plummeted.
I just checked the actual percentage received. It was a high pass - almost a credit. I didn't realise (I simply saw the 'P' and the mark out of 25)... ok, that makes me feel a little better. Sheesh, get all the facts first... heh.
The day picked up a little after that. Met up with Reyna and Menchie and the two of them were playing around with her new phone [rant warning - I hate these new phones. I seriously can't stand them. Polyphonic ringtones piss me off so much, I don't see the point of having a camera or video in your phone and I could never imagine myself surfing the net on my mobile. I get that other people want them so I don't rant about it too often, but as long as my phone lets me ring or text people and vice versa, then I'm set. I just don't see the need I guess, but how you use your money is how you use your money so... I'm not big on buying things I don't need, that's all. Ok, I'll admit to wanting a bunch of DVDs and books. They are my weaknesses, though I don't have the means and even if I did, doesn't mean I'd buy 'em. Yes, I'm a scrooge. And any friend who has tried to take me clothes shopping, knows enough to fuhgeddaboutit].
The rest of the day is a bit of a dreary blur, outside of my conversation with Duane which revealed that the two us have a lot more in common than I had originally thought. Then again, anyone who knows what Ciclosporin even is, gets points with me. Oh and Reyna's friend Ralph, is a gag. I don't get to see a lot of the homey-boy Filos at my uni so he was kind of a breath of fresh air (despite the fact that most of the time, those guys really shit me). Stats tute came and went and then Mel, Menchie and I met up with Jen at Central and headed home. I honestly envy Jen right now. She's working at ING at the moment and has deferred the year. Not thinking about assignments, classes, researching, etc... sounds positively loverly (May and Gill, seriously, I don't know how you handle both work and school, but bravo girls). I've a semester then I can do that, which I suppose is better considering Jen will have to come back to it. The job search is still on though and the job at uni is ??? Honestly, I've not heard a word (Ri!!).
Journalism is going well. My tutor is cool and I love that I'm not doing it at uni.
Yesterday, Menchie and I headed off to Parra to watch 50 First Dates. That's a really cute movie and at the same time, Mench and I kept thinking of secondyear cognition. We had to watch a video of a man who had a similar condition. It was so sad... every time he'd see his wife, though he knew who she was, it was as though he was seeing her for the first time. You could see the look on her face... though the movie is funny, you can't laugh at the fact that it's real. A lot of people live this way.
While at Parra, I found DVDs for It and NESII but of course, they were expensive as. I'm more glad to know they're available here in Oz. Not many Jonathan Brandis movies are (yes, I'm hoarding, so sue me) and I don't think I've much hope for finding the TV ones but thanking Jan for trying! And BJ for offering to tape and send :D You people are loverly.
Oh, and a hurrah! I found a bunch of songs I'd been wanting for the longest time! I first saw the Macross movies when I was around 12 or 13 and I loved the music... I was able to find Ai Oboeteimasuka from the original Macross. I love that song... it's in Japanese, yes, but it's still one of my favourite songs ever and it's way better in Japanese anyway (I've the english lyrics as well). Yoko Kanno's cello version of the Myung theme for Macross Plus and the vocal as well, and Between Heaven and Earth. I also got Cruel Angel's Thesis and Dance Like You Want to Win from Neon Genesis. I love manga soundtracks. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the themes for Battle Angel Alita or Tokyo Babylon but hey, I got a lot already.
Meanwhile, thanks to Rick Dees (though I never listen to you hehe) for bringing Hoobastank's The Reason, Switchfoot's Meant to Live and Five For Fighting's 100 Years to my attention. And Mel, thanks for telling me that there was a 9min version of In Da Club. Man! It's replaced my old one. My music collection grows... recent additions besides the aforementioned, were Chantal Kreviazuk, Bob Schneider, Casper's Lullaby, Jordan Hill, Cranberries, Gene Wilder (Pure Imagination was one of my favourite songs when I was younger) and some stuff from the Sister Act soundtracks (great Gospel-y stuff).
Ok, I've been somewhat overindulgent with my music. I can't help it. Writing and music sustain me(of course, outside of prayer and my family and friends).
And now that my writing energy has all been used up, I've some stats notes to go over and organise for my optional test, a new journo assignment to start and a socio journal entry to write. My sis just asked me to look up some N64 cheats for her and I'm getting a kick out of reading them. I may not play much anymore but hey, now I wanna try a couple things. I'm such a geek! (that reminds me, I gotta see if I can get a hold of any of Wil Wheaton's books hehe. One of them's called Just a Geek, but he's only just finished writing it. Go here if you're interested).
:D
Uni began again this week and I only ended up going in on Tuesday because I was sick on Monday. So I missed one RM3A lecture. Again. Second Monday Lecture I've missed in a row which is not fantastic since this is my second time around. And, to make that even more ridiculous (although at least this time, guilt-free), next Monday is a public holiday (ANZAC weekend) so that will make it the 3 for 3.
Tuesday was, to say the least, draining. Tolerable, but still draining. I was pretty keen to go in too, since I hadn't seen anyone all week break. I was all set, good mood and all. First lecture was sociology, which is generally ok, albeit a little sleepy at times because my lecturer is in the habit of rambling. I was only slightly bored since Travis and Adra are always great entertainment but then towards the end of the lecture, we had to watch 4Corners footage of the Rwandan massacre (the topic this week was Ethnic Cleansing). We were watching the testimonies made by some of the Hutu killers.
I don't know if I've ever watched anything so distressing in my whole life.
No, it wasn't extremely graphic (minus the shot after shot of bodies and bloodied streams - whether you would call that graphic, I suppose, is subjective), but... several times throughout the video, I wanted to cry and at the end, I was physically ill. The words of those talking didn't make things any better (sometimes describing what they actually did to people with more detail than was desirable). You could see they were remorseful and that they themselves, didn't seem to understand what they had been doing and why, outside of the basic hatred and wish to rid themselves of oppression. I won't go into any of it here... a woman who survived the killings at the church gave her account and I still want to cry just thinking about it.
The whole thing depressed me (I don't think I need to excuse myself for that). After studying Psych for 3 years, you stop asking how people can bring themselves to do that sort of thing. People are capable of anything. You certainly don't have to be a psych student to know that, you just have to watch the news. Of course, I can still ask why... but it doesn't make acknowledging these things any easier to swallow.
Adra and I were walking to stats and basically trying to work it through I guess... although the fact that stats was where we were headed didn't help things. My motivation was shot momentarily and listening to Melanie go over orthogonal contrasts was just a little too much. It's not an excuse, true, but my notes for that lecture are pretty poor. I also found that I was missing a page of the notes so that didn't help - ruddy printer - and I was also a little disappointed to find that a friend of mine wasn't there (Menchie and I are still in the process of trying to convince Reyna to come to class more often so I was glad to see her there though).
Those 3 painful hours finally done, I had a break and ended up having lunch with Mench, Mel and Kristine (who's still relatively new... only been here for a month! Hasn't stopped her from having already visited Taronga Zoo hehe). The mood was kinda sombre though because Mel wasn't well and we were all trying to help her out a bit. It was kinda nice towards the end though because almost everyone I hadn't seen in ages appeared from nowhere so I was talking to a lot of people (at different times that is. Travis rocked up and crashed eventually), but this meant that the others were sort of stuck watching. I felt bad, rude but stretched a little at the same time. I'm not the greatest at manning several conversations at once so I fall into (very self-consciously) ignoring people. Not nice.
Sociology tutorial. Death. I don't hate this subject. I brought it on myself anyway... you don't enrol in a socio class called 'Space of Terror' without expecting some pain. I was still reeling slightly from the video (yes, it takes me a while to get past things) and I didn't want to be there. Justin and Travis are cool though, so I don't mind talking to them about it all. My tutor is pretty cool too. I got to argue a bit with the American exchange student, Dean (slight crush... slight!) and then the rest of the time, discussed the prep questions with the others... typical tute. Nothing too shocking I guess. Then I got my essay back. I did hopelessly. I passed, yes, but I was upset. I'd worked hard on that essay and it was a slight knock. Plus, it's socio. I'm generally good at the subject. My mood basically plummeted.
I just checked the actual percentage received. It was a high pass - almost a credit. I didn't realise (I simply saw the 'P' and the mark out of 25)... ok, that makes me feel a little better. Sheesh, get all the facts first... heh.
The day picked up a little after that. Met up with Reyna and Menchie and the two of them were playing around with her new phone [rant warning - I hate these new phones. I seriously can't stand them. Polyphonic ringtones piss me off so much, I don't see the point of having a camera or video in your phone and I could never imagine myself surfing the net on my mobile. I get that other people want them so I don't rant about it too often, but as long as my phone lets me ring or text people and vice versa, then I'm set. I just don't see the need I guess, but how you use your money is how you use your money so... I'm not big on buying things I don't need, that's all. Ok, I'll admit to wanting a bunch of DVDs and books. They are my weaknesses, though I don't have the means and even if I did, doesn't mean I'd buy 'em. Yes, I'm a scrooge. And any friend who has tried to take me clothes shopping, knows enough to fuhgeddaboutit].
The rest of the day is a bit of a dreary blur, outside of my conversation with Duane which revealed that the two us have a lot more in common than I had originally thought. Then again, anyone who knows what Ciclosporin even is, gets points with me. Oh and Reyna's friend Ralph, is a gag. I don't get to see a lot of the homey-boy Filos at my uni so he was kind of a breath of fresh air (despite the fact that most of the time, those guys really shit me). Stats tute came and went and then Mel, Menchie and I met up with Jen at Central and headed home. I honestly envy Jen right now. She's working at ING at the moment and has deferred the year. Not thinking about assignments, classes, researching, etc... sounds positively loverly (May and Gill, seriously, I don't know how you handle both work and school, but bravo girls). I've a semester then I can do that, which I suppose is better considering Jen will have to come back to it. The job search is still on though and the job at uni is ??? Honestly, I've not heard a word (Ri!!).
Journalism is going well. My tutor is cool and I love that I'm not doing it at uni.
Yesterday, Menchie and I headed off to Parra to watch 50 First Dates. That's a really cute movie and at the same time, Mench and I kept thinking of secondyear cognition. We had to watch a video of a man who had a similar condition. It was so sad... every time he'd see his wife, though he knew who she was, it was as though he was seeing her for the first time. You could see the look on her face... though the movie is funny, you can't laugh at the fact that it's real. A lot of people live this way.
While at Parra, I found DVDs for It and NESII but of course, they were expensive as. I'm more glad to know they're available here in Oz. Not many Jonathan Brandis movies are (yes, I'm hoarding, so sue me) and I don't think I've much hope for finding the TV ones but thanking Jan for trying! And BJ for offering to tape and send :D You people are loverly.
Oh, and a hurrah! I found a bunch of songs I'd been wanting for the longest time! I first saw the Macross movies when I was around 12 or 13 and I loved the music... I was able to find Ai Oboeteimasuka from the original Macross. I love that song... it's in Japanese, yes, but it's still one of my favourite songs ever and it's way better in Japanese anyway (I've the english lyrics as well). Yoko Kanno's cello version of the Myung theme for Macross Plus and the vocal as well, and Between Heaven and Earth. I also got Cruel Angel's Thesis and Dance Like You Want to Win from Neon Genesis. I love manga soundtracks. Unfortunately, I couldn't find the themes for Battle Angel Alita or Tokyo Babylon but hey, I got a lot already.
Meanwhile, thanks to Rick Dees (though I never listen to you hehe) for bringing Hoobastank's The Reason, Switchfoot's Meant to Live and Five For Fighting's 100 Years to my attention. And Mel, thanks for telling me that there was a 9min version of In Da Club. Man! It's replaced my old one. My music collection grows... recent additions besides the aforementioned, were Chantal Kreviazuk, Bob Schneider, Casper's Lullaby, Jordan Hill, Cranberries, Gene Wilder (Pure Imagination was one of my favourite songs when I was younger) and some stuff from the Sister Act soundtracks (great Gospel-y stuff).
Ok, I've been somewhat overindulgent with my music. I can't help it. Writing and music sustain me(of course, outside of prayer and my family and friends).
And now that my writing energy has all been used up, I've some stats notes to go over and organise for my optional test, a new journo assignment to start and a socio journal entry to write. My sis just asked me to look up some N64 cheats for her and I'm getting a kick out of reading them. I may not play much anymore but hey, now I wanna try a couple things. I'm such a geek! (that reminds me, I gotta see if I can get a hold of any of Wil Wheaton's books hehe. One of them's called Just a Geek, but he's only just finished writing it. Go here if you're interested).
:D
Thursday, April 08, 2004
21sts, 21sts... and more 21sts
Just got back from Esha's (really good uni friend) 21st out at Kensington... lovely :) I got the chance to see a lot of people I never get to see anymore thanks to conflicting timetables! So many of my friends have disappeared ahead of me, doing honours and worrying about their thesis and panel meetings and such, and the rest of them are no longer in my classes, so it was great getting to see them again! The night was pretty much spent eating, drinking, laughing and - in the grand tradition of all 21sts - embarrassing Esha :D
I'd go into more detail, but as I said before, my body has been in constant rebellion lately because I've been severely depriving it of sleep... why am I even here? Well... I only came online to check mail and accidently opened this (was about to add 'by accident' to the end of that *rolls eyes* - clearly, I'm not thinking straight:P). I couldn't help thinking that it looked pretty neglected so thought to myself, 'why the hell not? A quickie update wouldn't hurt... and here we are.
That was fascinating wasn't it?
In clarification of the title, tonight's was something like the hundredth 21st I've been to within the last year and a bit and there are several still coming :) Man, I love being 21... the most immediate two coming up are for two of the many Amandas I know, one of whom drove me back tonight (glad you found your way home, despite my apparently pathetic directions, sweetie! :)) and they're both looking to be good.
Anyway, am off to bed. Night to all and, because I'm sure I won't be diligent enough to update before then, have a Happy Easter! :D
I'd go into more detail, but as I said before, my body has been in constant rebellion lately because I've been severely depriving it of sleep... why am I even here? Well... I only came online to check mail and accidently opened this (was about to add 'by accident' to the end of that *rolls eyes* - clearly, I'm not thinking straight:P). I couldn't help thinking that it looked pretty neglected so thought to myself, 'why the hell not? A quickie update wouldn't hurt... and here we are.
That was fascinating wasn't it?
In clarification of the title, tonight's was something like the hundredth 21st I've been to within the last year and a bit and there are several still coming :) Man, I love being 21... the most immediate two coming up are for two of the many Amandas I know, one of whom drove me back tonight (glad you found your way home, despite my apparently pathetic directions, sweetie! :)) and they're both looking to be good.
Anyway, am off to bed. Night to all and, because I'm sure I won't be diligent enough to update before then, have a Happy Easter! :D
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)