A Crunch of Christina :O

Guilty As Charged: Week 3

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

It's not so smooth sailing anymore. After three weeks of isolation from the online communication world, we're slowly starting to stumble already. The money in the pool seems to be at a steadily increasing rate, and it doesn't seem like it's reaching it's maximum yet :p Well, the four of us are looking forward to a hearty meal at the end of this period of online loneliness. Yay!

I wish to think that I've officially settled down and gone into study mode after handing in my final assignment - fuuh, what a relief! After just that weekend of slacking, I found it pretty hard to find the studying rhythm again. Uh-oh.

The time of grounding myself is yet to come - yes, I need to ground myself to study :p I've been doing that since SPM and every exam last year during SAM. Since this first year of university is of significant importance as it greatly influences my entry into Melbourne University next year. They're looking for consistency in results besides the the Distinction average at the end the two first semesters. Sigh, stress.

As of now, Management is not really working for me. Economics is kind of scaring me; it's really tough to score a High-Distinction - I can totally picture that (cost me some TER points last year!). Statistics are quite a blur really; I am incapable of sitting still and concentrating for two hours of tutorial straight (short attention span). Accounts, on the other hand, is a new unit this year; not really sure what that is supposed to mean, hence, no idea what to expect.

Argh, my first fines! I can't remember which day, but I committed two offenses. Booo.

Day 1:

Kris Allen, ladies and gentlemen! Such a sweetie.

Gorgeous :p

I'm not a complete Kris fan, but he is SO sweet :p I'm happy for him, because everyone was expecting Adam to take home the title. Congrats to sweet lil' Kris Allen, lol.

I'm in love with 'Falling Slowly', from the soundtrack of the indie movie, 'Once'. I supposedly sat in the theatre for that movie, but only God knows what happened, really -.- Although I paid absolutely no attention to the movie, I was still aware that some of the songs were nice. And when Kris Allen did this song, my heart melted *hearts

I don't know you

But I want you

All the more for that
Words fall through me
And always fool me
And I can't react
And games that never amount
To more than they're meant
Will play themselves out

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now

Falling slowly, eyes that know me
And I can't go back
Moods that take me and erase me
And I'm painted black
You have suffered enough
And warred with yourself
It's time that you won

Take this sinking boat and point it home
We've still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you have a choice
You've made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I'll sing along

-- Falling Slowly, Glen Hansard

Day 2:

Some of you might be aware that I didn't actually watch the finale on Thursday itself :p I was rushing that Management assignment I've been talking about. I shut myself off from all media to avoid any accidental spoilers, haha. I actually watched it on Saturday night.

And I finally dropped the assignment titled, A Gap in Ethics?, into the box at Building 6, Level 5. SUCCESS. I don't know what to expect for this assignment, but prayed for another HD :p I don't know if I mentioned this, but it was like a good surprise ambush when I scored HD for the first Management assignment - God's grace, seriously. And my mum took complete credit for that assignment because I interviewed her -.- lol.

Went to the bank with Raymas after that, and we successfully deposited the money for Golden Sands @ our campsite! Awesome possum man.

I so wanted to indulge in Bubba Gump's Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae dessert, but sigh, I'll be a good girl and go home. I managed to catch up with this season's House, not a bad day at all. I'm still craving for that dessert btw, it's damn good.

Day 3:

Screwed the waking-up-early-to-exercise-and-study plan for a woke-up-late-for-exercise-and-watched-movies plan :D I miss the holidays! I can't wait for the coming break; everyone's coming back :) Dexter included!

We had a C1-C2 combined CG dinner at Tram Car, 3 Two Square that night. Pastor Foo & family joined us. You all should pay attention to Robin's face when he talks to Pastor Foo next time, lol, it's quite amusing :p The food there wasn't that great, though - my Baked Seafood was very disappointing :/ The chicken looked okay.

Day 4:

Boring Sunday! :(

Was stuck at home all day with nothing to do & no Internet. The only productive option was to study, hoho. I did our Management tutorial work. Okay, our goal next semester is to consistently complete all our tutorial work - it's what's best for us :) HAHA. We'll try to. Since it's alread Week 12 of the first semester of university, I realise that I should be making resolutions for next semester. Keeping focused amidst the fact that we're no longer first grade freshies anymore will not be that easy :p

My mum came back from Ipoh that evening with truckloads of food! Not boring anymore :D

I GAINED WEIGHT WEI, SERIOUSLY.

Day 5:

It's the last time I'm going out, I promise! No promises for missing CF dinner though. :) I had no idea why I was going out when I should've spent the whole day meditating on Management. But I loved every second of the time spent with Sher and Ee Ling - your presence deeply missed. We all missed the good ol' days at Taylor's where we had quite a lot of spacing out and stoning time. Subway and Starbucks were just 2 minutes away - the JOY. That's something I miss too; Starbucks, and Subway's cookies. Sigh.

'I Love You, Man' is pretty hilarious! Go watch!

Alabama Mud Pie: yumm :9

Day 6:

The weather was so hot, and it still is. Trying to study in front of the computer wasn't very helpful either. But... my dad cut fruits for my brother and I. Woohoo! My dad never cuts fruits. The pear never tasted so good in the hot weather. What an energy and enthusiasm boost.

Motivation!

Freedom!:

We had prayer walk today during CF, followed by the premier of the Camp video which lightened up the atmosphere, haha.

Lord, I offer my life to you
Everything I've been through,
Use it for your glory.

The word 'freedom' is more realistic by the day, or should I say week. Sweet.

Have an amazing week studying for finals, everyone! It's high time I ditch not only the Internet, but the computer as well. Oh, another criteria added to our Internet fast (I think we should come up with a cool name for it):

Peter: no more stocks
Japheth: no more movies
Christina: no more Gchat
Sara: is doing very well, lol.

Tata!

Posted by Christina, at 9:28 PM.

You're Doing Well: Week 2

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Howdy! To date, we have RM60 (and counting!) which we plan to spend on a celebratory dinner after our exams. Sweet, I can't wait!

I'm currently supposed to be concentrate on rushing my last assignment for Management which is due this Friday at 5pm, but heck, I only get to blog/Facebook/MSN once a week! So I shall only start work at 12am tomorrow :D

As mentioned in fine print in the previous post, hopefully this post will be a more interesting for you to read and for me to type - with pictures, videos and even a news article.

Recap!

Day 1:

Having misplaced my Accounting textbook the previous week, checking through my assignment was quite a hassle. I had to borrow everyone else's textbook. I'm still grieving over my lost textbook, so nicely wrapped and taken care of :( I'm contemplating on asking the library to give me that one book they found which has yet to be claimed by its rightful owner. Finders keepers!

On American Idol, Danny Gokey was sent home! :( :( :( Yes, I am a Gokey fan no matter how gorgeous I think Adam Lambert is and how cute Kris Allen is. Go Go Gokey!

But now no more Gokey :( Now I am once again undecided on who I'll be rooting for this finals.

Kradam!

Day 2:

I dread Management tutorial presentations and discussions >:( Grr. I really have no clue on what's going on in Management. It's become depressing actually. Everytime Yao Yun and I think about we get all sad and sulk. I wonder how the finals are gonna be. Pray pray.

After handing in the Accounts assignment and failed attempts to accomplish significant progress on the Management assignment, a bunch of the CF-ers and I finally left to watch Star Trek! Yay! Oh man, it was such a good movie. I can't really remember when the last sci-fi action movie I watched. Captain Kirk (Chris Pine) and Spock (Zachary Quinto aka. Sylar) are cute too. I didn't know Zachary Quinto was in the movie! I love the way he talks in the movie, so intellectual.

Chun-ness.

Zachary Quinto - so gorgeous :)

Me: Are you a Star Trek fan?
Jenna: I wasn't, but after watching the movie I am!

Same here!

Some pics:

Carmen likes taking nice pictures :)

Thanks for the rides, Japh :D

I'm telling you, it's us, really

See, told you!

Now you try spotting us.

So clever!

I think Jenna is so cute, lol.

From left: Randy Jackson, Kara Dioguardi, Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell.
TOTALLY.

Hello, candid!

Dinner: Mum's Signature Curry Chicken, 'Fu Pei' from Ipoh, Fried Meehoon
Sweet!

Day 3:

Happy Teacher's Day!

Woke up slightly later than usual, did a set of sit ups, ran on that exercise-machine-thing for 20 minutes. Cool, I'm working out! :O A few posts back I actually blogged that I finally started exercising. Believe it or not, I still am every weekend! I am so proud of myself :P

But I'm still gaining weight 'cuz I'm eating like nobody's business :(

Spent the day at church, and we talked about 'The Black Hole Syndrome' aka. Selfishness in this week's CG. 'Twas fun.

Check out the videos from last week's CG! We played movie charades that time. This is the first ever video I've posted in my blog. I'm not much of a video/YouTube person.

The Incredibles by Sarah

The Road to Witch Mountain - Pastor Foo

The finals.

Possible CG dinner next Saturday? :D

Day 4:

Productivity level way below that of expectations!

Spent the whole Sunday at home trying to work on the Management assignment only to get distracted with Hot Chocolate and Cookies during tea time. 4pm is one of the most fattening times of the day to eat sugar and carbs :) Oh man the cookies were so goooood.

Click! for Gap Inc.'s child labour issues. Poor kids :(

Day 5:

Eventhough I spent the whole day on campus, I didn't get much work done. Sigh, it seems like I'm a very inefficient person right. Reminds me of Moi - he can focus on studying and doing his work like he's the only person in the crowded cafeteria. Salute!

Today, Jenna and I called for a 'Dress Your Favourite Colour Day' for this week's CF meeting! I was suddenly divided between my love for yellow and the fact that so many of my things were red in colour. We tried to reach as many CF-ers as we could with our enthusiasm. Yay!

Day 6:

Awesome possum - Worship Central!

Initially I didn't have any expectations when I went for this. I was thinking I'd go to hang out with some of the CF-ers and CG members who were going. But God really does have a time and place for everything. He moved me with the joy, peace and praise I felt during worship and also during prayer. He made it clear to me that I could enjoy the freedom He offers and the confidence in His unconditional love. Just the sense of peace I could feel whenever I close my eyes to focus is overwhelming and reminds me again that God can do wonders. Amen to that!

Thanks for the ride, again :p

With Jue Lyn & Gene Harn

Aiyorrr, Japh!

The Monash gang: Japheth, Su Yin, Christina, Ming Wei, Hsien Yew

BFFs :p

Rachael! (far right)

With Sarah & Kenn Quan

"My God is mighty to save"

Freedom!:

In CF today, 'dress your favourite colour' day! I love Jenna's get up, seriously. She texted me in the morning: Do you have any pink scrunchie or hair tie? Fuyoh.

Serene: Donate donate! I will not give up until everyone donates!

Guess our favourite colours :p

Major event of the day: Stressing out on Management assignment. Can kill :(

The worst is yet to come for this assignment. I've yet to actually start! Thus, didn't join the CF for dinner today. And the American Idol finale is today! How now brown cow :(

Apparently I left my thumbdrive in campus! Praise the Lord in all circumstances, Amen.

I just noticed that we only went 6 days on this Internet fast. Oh well, I hope none of us read this :P

Laterrr peepz ~ Peace out!

Posted by Christina, at 2:43 PM.

Internet Fast: Week 1

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

NO visits to the following sites:

Facebook

Blogger.com

YouTube

Any blogs

Any form of instant messaging

Any violation - whether caught, or convicted - will result in a fine of RM5 to eah member apart of the pact.

*jengjengjeng

I successfully survived one week (06/05 til 13/05). Yay me! *does London Tipton impersonation

I have a number of things to highlight all week. You don't know how excited I am blogging and logging into Facebook now. The most GG thing is there seems to be something wrong with my Streamyx payments; it seems that they're not getting through. So I have no Internet accessibility as of now. Bummer.

Am currently blogging from campus, with the soooooperrr slooooww connection. Aw man.

**********

Day 1:

Peter successfully convinced me to join their pact (no Facebook, MSN, blogs, YouTube) for a week. This is to help us to focus and rid us of our procrastinative nature with the aim of finishing our assignments on time. Amen to that! If only I had agreed to join them earlier in the morning, then I would have earned myself RM5 from Japheth's slip up with 'Britain's Got Talent' on YouTube. Hehe >:)

I finally joined the CF for dinner! *exclaims. Where did we eat, you ask? I revisited the good ol' college days; we ate at Asia Cafe. Sara and I scored ate Takoyaki, pizza and Uncle Bob's Chicken - we were hungry, lol. I can't believe that I am still victim to freshly made Takoyaki balls. I burned my tongue, lol. Reminds me of the first Takoyaki I had - I was so hungry I stuffed the whole thing into my mouth when it just arrived. Ouch.

When I switched on my computer that night, I wanted to blog about the Takoyaki experience. And then I remembered, "Oh, no blogging!" I kept myself occupied with my Stats assignment, and I can't recall what else I did. But I survived!

Day 2:

Last Thursday was easier because I wasn't home at night. Went with my mum to a Godiva Pre-Mother's Day event. Godiva's chocolates are to die for! The food was superbly good! I should start taking pictures for all these little events already.

Came home to watch American Idol and see Allison go home. Aww.

I'm undecided on who I'm rooting for. I love Danny Gokey, but Adam Lambert is simply amazing. Kris Allen is cute too. How now brown cow? (One of Sher's cutest lines)

Now it's down to the Top 3! Oo can't wait for this week's show.

Day 3:

Still confident that I could last another 5 days practically without the Internet, I went off to campus with hopes of studying. That's when I started hanging out at 'The Aquarium' :) It's where the cool people are, hoho. It actually is quite distracting sitting next to the window panels, watching everyone outside. Hence, its name; 'The Aquarium'.

I tried very hard to study for Management, but I don't think it was very productive. I tried, okay!

Visited the Histopath computer labs for the first time! Sara and I were very jakun. We were looking around at the models and the real life preserved human beings (Mr Muscle & Mr Viscera) when Peter started pointing out some parts of the dead dudes I'd rather not mention :p Japheth and Sara hung out to do their camp homework as I played with Sara's camera and Japheth's DSLR (woots).

YAY, CF CAMP!

Dinner: Mum's Signature Prawn Mee! Check out FoodForThought soon for updates on that :)

Day 4:

Saturdays = church days; still not tempted to open a Mozilla browser.

I dropped by the TwoMAds bazaar at 3k Inn before heading off to church. Well, I was eager to have a look at first, but it was pretty disappointing. The space was so small! :/ Quite few vendors, and there wasn't much to look at. Pretty much similar to what was at Monash Music Festival. What's different is that I spent the whole day there, as compared to half an hour at 3K. Booo.

This is day that the CF-ers went to Gua Tempurung, which I didn't join. They looked like they had a lot of fun, and danger at the same time, lol. Awesome possum pictures on Facebook! But it's not like I could check 'em out then right. Still only at Day 4.

Dinner that night was SO awesome. Absolutely good food.

Did I mention I gained weight?

Day 5:

Happy Mother's Day!

What did you do for Mother's Day? I seriously couldn't really think of any creative ideas this year :/ Even if I had better ideas than the usual, I'm broke. Took my mum for a manicure pampering session in the morning. Then we had a good buffet at The Spread, The Gardens and were supposedly going to shop for a big ol' stuffed toy for my mum. I know, a bit cliche'd, but it's still so cute and cuddly right. Instead, we went home to study :(

After much anticipation, I finally stuck my 'P' signs in my mum's car! I can now officially drive! However, if you know my mum, she would probably put me through a whole other 10 hours of practice before any serious driving. GG.

Day 6:

Now, this was when the absence of online communication started getting to me. At campus in the morning was bearable. I was still trying to study, but was constantly distracted with all the buzz on the other side of the Aquarium. Japheth was also trying to do work, hehe. What I did to help myself to focus was pray, and blast my music to block out all other sounds and distractions. Studying Economics with loud music kind of works.

The drama started when I got home, and wanted to study Economics. I double clicked the Mozilla icon on my desktop and was about to click on the 'Facebook | Home' tab on my favourites toolbar. Then I realized, "Oo, I can't do that". So I rolled my mouse over the whole toolbar, and to my disappointment, the only thumbnail I could click on was my Gmail. :(

Then it finally hit me: This Internet Fast thing is killing me slowly!

Little did I know, I was showing early signs of withdrawal symptoms.

Texted Sara about my agony, but she tak layan. At least I did what I wanted to do in the first place - Management. Ah, I finally started to focus.

Day 7:

Man, even typing this reminds me of the lack of communication means I had with my peers.

The last day!

Went to campus and straight away continued reading up for Economics test later that day. Although it was an open book test, I still made it a point that I read up on some stuff beforehand. At least I wouldn't have to worry that much about those chapters when I study for the upcoming finals.

Finally attended CF prayer meeting that noon. It's been a while since my last prayer meeting; more like two years.

I kind of dread Tuesdays because of the compulsory weekly Management tutorial presentations. Our group is probably the laziest group in the tutorial, lol. It was quite a disaster - we presented too generally; we didn't have our slides; and my executive summary sucks. Not the best tutorial we've had. Thank goodness it's almost over.

Jenna's mum bakes delicious brownies :)

Oh, my mum started her diet again. Guess what. Besides the two small brownies I had that evening, I didn't take any solid carbohydrates that day. Haha.

Freedom!:

I survived!

I'm supposed to be focused on finishing my Accounting assigment right this very instance. Instead, I'm blogging. This is why we had the Internet Fast in the first place. As bad as it was, it managed to help me get more things done - awesome.

Shocker: We decided to extend this for a whole one more week! Today is merely a one-day break. YAY.

Goodbye Internet world. Peter should be banned from watching the stock market - it's not fair. :p

P.S. I promise to post pictures. This post looks so boring!

Posted by Christina, at 2:33 PM.