Sunday arvo Quote of the Day

Seek what makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive,

along with the inner voice that says,

this is the real me

WILLIAM JAMES

grave surprise by Charlaine Harris

From the cover notes:

"When I was fifteen, I was struck by a bolt of lightning throuh an open window of the trailer where we lived...I recovered, mostly. I have a strange spiderwed pattern of red on my torso and right leg, which has episodes of weakness. sometimes my right hand shakes. I have headaches. I have many fears. And I can find dead people. That was the part that interested the professor...

"At the request of anthropology professor Dr. Clyde Nunley, Harper Connelly and her stepbrother Tolliver come to Memphis to give a demonstration of Harper's unique talent. And what better place to have that demonstration than in a very old cemetery?

"Dr. Nunley doesn't bother to hide his skepticism, especially when Harper stands atop a grave and senses two bodies beneath her - one of a centuries-dead man and the other of a young girl, recently deceased. When the grave is opened, Harper's claim is proven true. The dead girl is Tabitha Morgenstern, an eleven-year-old abducted from Nashville two years previously..."

From the author of the Sookie Stackhouse (Southern Vampires) series, comes a series featuring Harper Connelly; a young woman with a gift for finding corpses, and accurately determining the cause of death simply by touching, or being close to, the body. This is actually the second book in the series, which includes grave sight, grave surprise and an ice cold grave. I stumbled upon it while browsing through my local library's online catalogue and thought I'd give it a try.

Harper Connelly is an engaging character, and I'm glad to say is nothing at all like Sookie. (Well, there is the fact that she wound up without parents at a young age, and the fact that she has a supernatural gift. Not that I don't like Sookie - I love her - but I can't stand it when an author is a one trick pony and creates characters that are all alarmingly alike.) Harris has created a likable character with a distinctive voice. Harper doesn't have the same likes and dislikes as Sookie, or the same attitudes. And she doesn't inhabit the same world as Sookie.

This book is a classic who-done-it with a satisfying conclusion. Recommended to all who enjoy a murder mystery every now and then. I'll definitely be reading the other books in the series.

ExxonMobil Interview

I went for my attachment interview today... hmm, took me as long as 2hours.

First, they did a D.I.S.C profiling on me, and the result was a very high "I". This indicates that I'm a very people orientated kind of person, likes to promote and loves working with people. And the weakness is that I tend to feel insecure, and trust people easily. Think...quite true hor? Hahha.

Then it was followed by a 2nd round of interview, this time, we were given 6 different scenarios. We were asked to choose 2 out of 6, and discussed with another interviewee. So we discussed, and went in to the interview room again, talk and talk...then we were also bombarded with an extra impromptu question... by the time I came out of the room, I was already brain dead lo.

Hmm, I think the other candidates are more outstanding than me lah, in terms of their achievements and looks... haha. I'm quite an ordinary guy I think, and normally tend to freak out during interview. A bit stressed lah...seeing my facebook with so many people giving me encouragments...

But... I think abit no chance lah. Well, I guess, at least I give in my best and greatest knowledge liao. If I got in, its a bonus. If don't have, then it's god's will!

Like wad yanpei say...so many people choose exonmobil, it's already quite lucky to be selected for interview lo, like 红星大奖，入围就是种肯定了！ Lol...

For now, let's focus on the exams.

*STRESSED*

I'm a Gleek!

My daughter and I have been enjoying watching Glee together. (In fact hubby and son watch too!) We have really been bonding over our discussions of our favourite characters (and those we HATE!), and which songs are our favourites.

It's on again tonight!

For now, enjoy this...

Mr Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange

After much neglect, I'm finally getting back on track with the Everything Austen challenge. Hosted by Stephanie, at Stephanie's Written Word, it requires participants to read, view or "experience" six Austen-related books, films etc by January 1, 2010. So I'd better get my skates on!

My progress so far:

Check out my review post for Lost in Austen  by Emma Campbell Webster here.

And now, a review post for Mr Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange.

This book was pretty much what I expected - a quick enjoyable read, but nothing spectacular. The book consists of a series of diary entries, and faithfully follows the narrative of Pride and Prejudice while also giving us a tantalising glimpse into Darcy and Elizabeth's life after P & P.

I'm not sure that Darcy's voice is true to his character as presented in P & P, but romantics will forgive Grange any licence she has taken in presenting Darcy as a doting brother and a man who is in love with Elizabeth almost from the moment he meets her!

I found the fact that some phrases or passages were quoted verbatim from P & P frustrating. I would have dearly loved Grange to find Darcy's voice to describe the unfolding events rather than using Austen's narrator's ironic voice.

This book is fun for fans.

I have applied for a job!

Now that all my uni work is over for the year, my mind has turned to the actual goal of my study, which is a career change.

After working from home teaching private maths and music students for some time, I am eager to go out to work and see some people!

After much deep thought, I decided that librarianship was the direction that I wanted to move. I love to read and learn, I can work alone or in a team, I'm good with people, and I don't mind routine tasks. To that end, I am studying to become a fully fledged professional librarian.

The job that I have applied for is a library technician role; a perfect stepping stone for me. It is with a company that supplies books and other products to libraries all over Australia. Looking over their website, I feel quite excited at the prospect of working for them!

In the meantime, I am exploring some other options too, including teacher librarian positions in schools.

Wish me luck!

Happy 22nd Birthday, Serling!

Time now, 4:57am. Don't worry, I just woke up. Was too tired that I dozed off immediately after I finished talking to Yanpei.

Anyway, just now went to celebrate Serling's 22nd birthday, together with Citibank S.G.A.K.X clique....

Went to Bedok blk 85 to eat... bah chor mee, carrot cake, stingray, ice kachang, 汤圆， oyster, hmm...I think i must swim 100 laps plus gym 7 days a week to burn off the Extra extra calories...

But, once in a year...for Serling, its worth it lah. =)

Finally, we have finished celebrating all the birthdays of S.G.A.K.X in the year 2009.

May all your wishes come true. =)