A Crunch of Christina :O

Turn Our Hearts Inside Out

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

I remember my cousin telling me, "Omg, there are only five more weeks of uni. So fast!" I'm happy that he really enjoyed his first year of university. And he's over at Monash Clayton now with a bunch of his friends, having a blast cooking for himself.

Me? I'm letting everyday pass by me with minimal enthusiasm. I think the real phlegmatism is starting to show - phlegmatics don't like change, and tend to want to remain at a comfortable position. I can't help thinking about the people who left and are going to leave. I can still remember the first person who flew off back in 2004. After that, everyone started moving on one by one.

I need to do that too.

Having expectations can kill. We try hard to avoid developing any, but often time we fail. People always say, "never settle for second best", and they're right. We should have the determination to only want to go to the moon, not jsut float around in space looking at the moon.

Repeated note to self: Appreciate everything and everyone around you.

Tell me, did you sail across the sun
Did you make it to the milky way to see the lights all faded

Posted by Christina, at 10:06 AM.

The Long And Winding Road

Monday, March 23, 2009

"I'm sad and broke. I'm sad and broke, and hungry. I'm sad, broke, hungry AND fat."
"You don't say yourself fat, I tell you, I give you one punch!"
-- Thomas

I can still taste Godiva's Dark Mint Chocolixir when I came home from Pavilion yesterday. But what really lingers on is the guilt - not kidding. It wasn't just the Chocolixir we had - that, together with the Latte and Long Black really compliment the Carrot & Ginger Cake and Tiramisu. Now you know why I mentioned guilty indulgences. Ah well, once in a while won't hurt :D

Okay, call me a complete 'noob', but I think you can consider me 'very slow' in learning how to drive. Booo. Look: I have no experience whatsoever when it comes to automobiles, and I'm not at all sportsy - hence, I requrie a little more time to naturally coordinate my actions.

"Slowly release the clutch; accelerate; NO, NO, BRAKE!" -- No, I didn't crash nor did my engine die.

Do not mock me, lol.

Nevertheless, I'm not that bad okay! I can still drive. The feeling of getting around myself during my first lesson was quite thrilling. As of now, my instructor always thinks I'm not ready and keeps me driving on the road only. Haha, I find it rather hilarious and lame at the same time. For the record, my engine has yet to die at vulnerable places on the road, like junctions and traffic lights. Unlike GNRTCY, whose engine died at the trafiic light!

One thing, I respect my instructor for his high level of patience. It's unbelievable. Everytime I slip up during lesson, he never ever raises his voice or has the 'what's wrong with you' look on his face. Even I would get angry at me. Kudos! Need I remind you, I'm not that bad of a driver.

My escapade today was productive. I learnt reverse, side parking and three point turn all at once! (I know I sound like such a lame-o)

I've another lesson tomorrow. Let's hope for four-leaf clovers.

Posted by Christina, at 2:41 PM.

Self-Efficacious

Friday, March 13, 2009

Ef-fi-ca-cious [ef-i-key-shuhs]
–adjective
capable of having the desired result or effect.

Backdated updates, again!

After the third week of university, we've been dumped with weekly homework, major assignments, and the constant need to 'revise our work after lectures and prepare for tutorials'. Yes, we have been tied down by the sudden amount of workload after three solid months of freedom and slacking. But that shouldn't be an excuse for outcomes that are below par.

The main note-to-self for the year is: CONSISTENCY IS KEY.

Having gone through SAM, I believe that the feedback we get - "once you've done SAM, you can do anything!" - is actually quite true. SAM students have basically been trained to juggle both studying and important assignments as well as almost monthly tests all at the same time. University sounds pretty much similar, except for the fact that we are without guidance whatsoever. The lectures and 'consultation hours' are all we have to rely on, together with the supposed self-determination we are all expected to practice.

Hence, the need to be self-efficacious in every task we are given.

Oh btw, my scholarship application was unsuccessful. They said they were sorry, really. So wave bye-bye to UK, and be focused on Melbourne again. Chee Hong responded with a "good, good!" the other day when I told him I would be aiming for Melbourne again. I guess that's a good sign, that I will have at least someone who wouldn't mind showing me around if I get there next year, haha. Nurul is not planning for Melbourne anymore, so cheers to that.

Ah well, we'll pray about all that. Amen!

Break my heart for what breaks yours,
Everything I am for your Kingdom's cause.

Posted by Christina, at 10:38 PM.

International Women's Day

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Happy INTERNATIONAL WOMAN'S DAY to all the ladies out there! :D

In conjunction with today, a new blog has been created (check my links) and it's fully committed to all things edible. Yes, that's right. It's a FOOD blog. You browse through blogshops everyday, and news blogs once in a while; but FOOD is something you can't live without (it's true). So check in within this week, and their first post will be up pretty soon! What's there to expect? Yeap, you guessed it -- FOOD. :D

GIRL POWER!

Posted by Christina, at 10:45 PM.

Are You A Risk Taker?

Friday, March 6, 2009

"You know what I find strange? Those expected to remember, don't; but the unexpected appear out of the blue."

Honestly, its not surprising. A first for everything.

The first week of classes in Monash were pretty dull. Nothing interesting about lectures yet, because it's all in the introductory stage. Apart from lecturers and tutors constantly dumping assignments on us (already!) throughout the week, nothing much to talk about. I am eager to start learning about things that can be related to what's happening in the world today. Like, the economic crisis I mentioned, which I can share more about now as a result of preparation for my GIC interview the other day.

The world is in a financial crisis, and the global economy is moving toward a recession which may be the worst we've seen since The Great Depression in the 1930s. The excess borrowing and lending between the financial and household sector is said to have triggered this prolonging downturn. The collapse of insurance giant, AIA, in the States alerted people worldwide about poorer financial times in the future. The effects of this financial turmoil includes declining GDP percentages in many countries, companies cutting costs through retrenchment, banks in boiling water, and in more everyday terms, ohmigosh less shoppping!

Yes. Save up, everyone! I feel like doing my bit to make/save some dough as well. Hmm, what should I do? :P

About my interview, yeah you bet I was nervous! I could feel my heart pounding as I waited outside the interview room thinking, "Is it good morning, or good afternoon? What time is it?!" But when I got up and walked into the room, the pounding stopped and I guess it was God's peace that filled me. It's how my 'nerves' function. I could pretty much talk rather naturally throughout the whole interview, except for a few moments when I really didn't know what the heck I was saying lol.

One incident is when the interviewer popped the question: You say you're interested in investments and finance; are you a risk taker?

I wasn't prepared :P So I literally blanked out and stuttered my way through my answer. We could both tell that I had no idea what I was saying at that moment. When I told Sher that I struggled with this question, the first thing she answered was, "NO RISK, NO RETURN!!! I always say that! You apparently haven't hung out with me for a long time." -- WORRRD.

Oh well, now, I will always remember that phrase and I will always link it to Sher. She has taught me much througout the past one year being with her. (haha, awwww) The only thing I offer that she doesn't accept is my undying love for her. Now, she has found new 'babies' in Help. At least you still call me 'babe', if not I merajuk and don't friend you. Lol.

Another question my interviewer asked was: What are your weaknesses? Tell me in 3 adjectives.

I had to stop and think about that. It really is not that I don't have any weaknesses! It's summing it up into 3 adjectives. Not 3 sentences, or 3 anything. I couldn't compress all my weaknesses into 3 adjectives. Well, I did answer in a way my mum didn't agree on at first, but I did also managed to turn the 'elaborate on that weakness' question into a 'after that incident, I learnt to--' situation. Hehe :D

All in all, it was pretty alright. Awaiting the outcome in about 2 weeks time. I MAY be going to the UK if I get the scholarship. Bye bye, Melbourne.

There were also 3 tests and an essay we had to complete. Well, being absent from studies for the past three months wasn't really helpful. I didn't finish the Maths test because I took too long to do one question (EH, NO CALCULATORS OK). The English test was alright, but the Abstract test - FUUH! It was like some crazy IQ test! It was aimed to test your ambiguity, and it achieved its purpose. Right on.

Yeah, that was the highlight of the week. Oh, I forgot: Our Management tutorial group managed to actually sit down and discuss today. Woohoo! We didn't get things done though -.- But it's a start! We're feeling the pressure, from our studies and from the economic crisis.

Cheerio.

Posted by Christina, at 2:17 PM.