Live and Learn

Doesn't this lavendar farm look gorgeous? Imagine the smell! I'm burning some lavendar and jasmine in my oil burner at the moment, trying to relax and lift my mood. I've been struggling a bit. This time of year is always busy, it seems from now until Christmas the pressure builds and builds. This year I'm studying as well as the usual business of family life and work, so I'm feeling the pinch.

As usual, when I feel stressed, it only takes one thing to tip me over the edge. Today it was receiving my first assignment results for the semester. Disappointing. Not what I needed today. Now that I've had a chance to think it through, I realise that I took a calculated risk with this assignment. I weighed up several factors, including the fact that it was only worth 30% of my final mark for the subject, and went ahead and submitted it despite knowing that I had strayed from the set task. Foolish? Perhaps so. We have been told to make sure that we read the requirements carefully. Fair enough. But to be honest, I really believed that the assignment I wrote was better than what I would have done by sticking strictly to the task. Being an optimist, I even thought that what I'd written demonstrated original thought and I really hoped that the marker would think it was fantastic! Oh well.

We live and learn. We make mistakes. We get back up and try again. We are not defined by our failures. My next assignments are going to be fabulous (and I'm going to stick to the task definition like glue!).

Roar. I'm Hungry.

I'm hungry. roArrr.

Looking out of the window... everyone's asleep. Why am I still bloody awake?

Why does happiness comes so seldom...ends so fast.

But sadness sinks in so frequent... and lasts so long.

I don't need all this!!! I need all that!!!

There's no point in looking back... because priorities has changed... life must go on, yea...everyone's moving on... but I'm moving back.

Perhaps it was hunger that drive my emoness again.

I'm going to eat my dinner+breakfast later. Should I call it... dinfast? Hhahah! Sounds funny.

I want to fly... I'm flying!! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~

Try beating me. HAHAHHA!

Try to break my score... HHAHAHAH!

Stressed. =(

Nothing seems to work out right.

Play it here now: alertness test

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Thank you Nutrition Park! Was invited to their showroom for an experience recently, and presenting to you my experience with Nutritionpark.com Showroom! Wow... I must say, it's really well equipped with lots of fitness facilities, and whatelse, excellent service!



Friendly staff explaining to me the functions and demonstrating to me the V11 treadmill


And also some of the home machines...


Not only does Nutritionpark.com focuses on fitness and nutrition, the company also differentiated their products, such as selling comfortable Tees...


Look at the bottles of supplements behind me! WoooOO!




Hahha...trying out the V11 treadmill..


My showroom experience!!!


My experience with V11 treadmill!

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Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris

This is the cover art for the copy of Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris that I borrowed from my local library. Not the True Blood cover art, and not the other illustrations that I love so much. I don't like this version at all, I don't think it fits with the feel of the books.

Anyway, what about what's inside the cover?

From the back of the book:

"Sookie Stackhouse enjoys her life, mostly. She's a great cocktail waitress in a fun bar; she has a love life, albeit as complicated as ever, and most people have come to terms with her telepathy.

Problem is, Sookie wants a quiet life, but things just seem to happen to her and her friends.

Now her brother Jason's aout to turn into a were-panther for the first time. She could deal with that, but her normal sisterly concern turns to cold fear when a sniper sets his deadly sights on the local were population..."

Yes, it's another action-packed instalment in the adventures of Sookie Stackhouse and friends! As usual, there is murder and mayhem, supernatural creatures, and Sookie's lovelife is never simple.

I've said it before, I'll say it again, I love Sookie's "voice" in these books. Here's a sample:

"Claudine smiled impishly. "I was spending the night with Sookie," she said, winking. In a second, we were the objects of fascinated scrutiny from every male within hearing..."

I enjoyed the fact that Harris slows down for a moment, in this book, to explain a little more about the ins and outs of the shape-shifter and were societies. And unlike some other reviewers, I don't mind the fact that Sookie is swamped with admirers at every turn! Sadly, Sookie doesn't get lucky in this instalment, though she does make a start with someone she has yet to "do the deed" with!

For me, these sort of books are what I call "comfort reading". When we're feeling a bit down, some of us break out the ice-cream, some run a hot bath, and some reach for a Sookie Stackhouse book. (And some do all three!)

Now I'm off to the library to pick up Definitely Dead!

Please Support Sophia's and Her Cousin's BlogShop

http://the1988.livejournal.com

About the shop owners:




the1988 is the brainchild of a pair of cousins, Sophia and Jasmine.
Why the1988?
They originally wanted 1988, but it's taken! ):
1988's a special year for them as they were both born in that year.
Basically, all collections that start with the letter S is by Sophia and those that start with the letter J is by Jasmine.
They hope to bring you 2 different styles to cater to more tastes and preferences!


Sophia
One half of the1988
Loves shoes, chocolate, the colour red and long (driven) drives.
Likes her eggs scrambled.
inamorato_jc.livejournal.com



Jasmine
The other half of the1988
Says this about herself-
"Love to dress and shop source for new and fun stuffs!
Just hope to bring in many nice clothings to share with
girls like you! Hope you have enjoy your stay here and
lastly!, Support us! Cheers!"
jasmineshui.livejournal.com

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

From the back cover:

"People of the Book crosses continents and centuries to bring stories of hope amidst darkness, compassion amidst cruelty, all bound together by the discoveries made by a young Australian woman restoring an ancient Hebrew book."

Opening this book to read it, I smiled as I read the dedication:

For the librarians.

As I am studying librarianship at the moment, I thought, 'This is the book for me!'

People of the Book, by Geralding Brooks, has two interleaving stories. The first is the story of Hanna, a renowned book conservator, who is attempting to piece together the story of the Sarajevo Haggadah. These chapters follow her painstaking investigation into parchments and pigments, as well as the story of her family and her life.

As an Australian, it is nice to read books with Australian voices and settings. Sometimes, however, Australian authors seem very self-conscious of their international readers, and tend to throw around a lot of Aussie slang for the sake of it. I think Brooks fell into this trap. At times I was cringing as the 'ockerisms' were flying!

The second story takes the reader back in time, folowing the history of the Haggadah. Sarajevo during World War II, Vienna 1894, Venice 1609, Tarragona 1492 and Seville 1480.

I found the historical stories fascinating.

I would recommend this book to readers who like to learn a little something as they're reading. It's a work of fiction, but is inspired by the true story of a Hebrew book known as the Sarajevo Haggadah. Each step back in time uncovers more in the story of the relationship between Jews, Christians and Muslims through the ages.

Annotated bibliography and self assessment submitted. Could not stand looking at it any longer. Will now take a bath to try and feel human again.

Thank You everyone who made my 23rd birthday a memorable one. =)

Want to thank everyone who have made my 23rd a memorable one. Every year, during my birthday, I will start to reflect what I have done during the past year... and I would say, this year is very fruitful, from Freshmen Orientation Camp 2009...to Omy.sg blogging competition... and now JCRC... really bring me alot of enjoyable experience.

However, life wouldn't be easy without my dearest buddies and friends around, giving me ample of support, wake me up when I'm down, encouraged me when I have totally given up on myself.

很感动， 有你们加油，鼓励。对那些看不起我的人，我要告诉你们，我会加油，努力。我只希望你们讲话可以用一用头脑。

加油， Kevin Soh. 虽然我不是真正的快乐，但是，我相信，阳光总在风雨后，一定会有彩虹。

Birthday celebration started with SGAkX... my citibank friends... Serling, Gina, Alvin, Myself and Xiuli.


Anticlockwise: Myself, Alvin, Serling, Gina, Xiuli

We went to Tao Restaurant at Paradise Centre...a 6 course meal... good food, but service...can be improved lah.


Gina spent her night doing this very special calender for Alvin and Me... 辛苦了！ She spent lots of thoughts in coming up with special quotes for every month, and didnt sleep through the night. Thank you for all the efforts!!! Felt it deep deep in my heart!


Our birthday cakes...


After Tao Restaurant...we went to Cine Kbox... really Long Long time no sing Ktv lo!


Hahah... the entertaining Gina... goes High!!!

Also...must thank JCRC for their present too...


That day...during Investiture...


Not only was I recognised as the Biz Mag of 9th JCRC...


My JCRC also gave me a surprised mini birthday celebration...


Along with Jessica, whose birthday fall on the exact day as Investiture...


Abit paisay to stand infront of so many people...recieving their birthday wishes...


Thank you 9th JCRC!!! Thanks for the present too!!!

Next up, Justin, Sophia, Priscilla and Songwei gave me an enjoyable celebration on the eve of my birthday... Songwei, the driver... drove us to Holland Village for our dinner...we dine at this place...called the Amici...an Italian restaurant...


My heart to heart buddies from Hall 14... Sophia, Justin, Priscilla, Songwei. Thank you. =) From the bottom of my heart.


My fellow good brothers... who helped me alot in hall...studies, emotionally, physically, hahha... and many other things!


Songwei the kind driver...


The surprised birthday cake... which turned out to be priscilla bang sai... (stories make up by Justin Lee)


After Dinner...went to chill and eat ice cream...

Brothers and Sistas, thank you for everything. I'm very thankful and enjoyed the celebration. Despite your busy schedule, especially Justin and Songwei, who had your assignments to rush, but you guys still take some time out for me. Hmm, very paisay... but dunno how can I repay you guys. U all know deep deep in my heart can liao. Sophia and Pris, I know you guys are very tired also...sorry man. Hmm... hope I didnt tire you all out...thank you very much for the birthday plan. =)

When the clock strikes 12...

my hall celebrated with me.... kena gan by Justin to go down to lounge...cos I tuuuuuuu too much. Thank you hall 14. First time celebrated in hall, year 1...recess. Year 2...recess... This year...due to YOG, recess week postponed. Abit overwhelmed by the large number of turn out, again, must thank my buddies, Sophia, Justin, Priscilla, Songwei for coordinating, and Para for asking the freshies down.


The cake that Zhang Fan bought... and the mooncakes that Justin bought... thank you thank you.


Thank you Sophia for spending her precious time to do up the photo collarge... and thank you buddies!


With the ever supporting Hydrus Freshies...


With the vibrant year 2s...


And last but not least...with the never say old year3s and year4s...


My shunfu buddy..Daphne


Cutting my birthday cake... alamak, look damn chui...in Hall mah...


Some of the year 3s...


Thank you Hall 14!!! I know you all have quizzzzz.... have presentations....have assignments.... paisay paisay. I'm no big character... really wasted all of your time. Thank you thank you. Dunno must say how many thank you to make you all feel I'm sincere...just wanna say, I really felt the warmth and your birthday greetings in my heart!!!! Thanks alot thanks alot!!!!

On the actual day...went to clinic to work...then go home to celebrate my birthday with my Ah Bu... Mummy very cute lo, before take photo, say want to put powder... -___-. Mummy sibei Hiao lah...



Thank you Mummy =)

All in all...just wanna thank each and everyone deep deep in my heart. I felt it, I enjoyed it... thank you.

Seeman, thanks for the long distant call, sorry, couldnt talk to you,cos my hall friends were celebrating for me. Thank you... =)

Everybody, XIE XIE XIE XIE XIE XIE!