Of Simple Words & Simple Things

Wednesday, March 30, 2005

It's Wednesday, and it's my stay-home day, yeay! But I've got to start studying for the test tmr really soon. Meanwhile, just feeling so bored after sending out emails to RADAC and CASE for projects (I HATE PROJECTS!) I shall write sth here...

The bus: As someone who holds a bus concession, I like to take buses, and I take buses as though it's free in that sense. I have come to conclude that the bus is an excellent place to observe people-- observe how some people behave, like how they sleep (I've once sat beside this guy who slept till he drooled!) or how some people refuse to move to the end of the bus, and even how people observe other people. It's certainly interesting, and sometimes irritating.

This is a list of people who never fail to irritate me while I'm on the bus:

1. Aunties... I hate it when these aunties squeeze all the way past you (when the bus is already crowded enough) just to get to some spot in the bus. Or when they see that a seat has just been vacant, she will squeeze and take the seat as though she deserved it. ARGH. Seriously, we don't owe these aunties anything. It doesn't mean that just because they are older they have the right to be unreasonable and rude. In fact, they are really not that old, and weak (else giving up the seat to them would be perfectly fine). BUT there are some nice and polite aunties out there too. I like these aunties better.

2. One big group of students... Perhaps I've once been part of this sort of group before...but still I don't like them. Especially when I take the bus during peak hours, the group of students always take up alot of space and make alot of noise. They like to block the exit too. Simply irritating having to get past them to get to the end of the bus! Worst still, sometimes they stink! Haha. Just like that time when the bus went past McRitchie Reservoir, and a whole BIG group of students boarded the bus, all wet (from the rain) and sweaty and smelly. I was sitting right at the last row of the bus and when I reached my stop, I decided to skip it; I would rather take a longer time and go to the interchange before coming back, then to squeeze past all of them. Eww...

3. The one person whom I should never be irritated at: the bus driver... This is one in fifteen perhaps. I cannot take it when the bus driver goes at an extremely slow speed (purposely) so that he has to stop at almost every single traffic junction and every single bus stop when there's no one boarding or alighting the bus. It pays to be careful, I know that, but not to this extent for goodness sake.

I guess that's quite enough-- 3 is a magic no. to stop at.

Bus drivers can have quite an attitude too. I was on my way home yesterday at 7 plus after my tutorial, so the bus was really packed. I guess like myself, everyone else wanted to go back soon, and the bus driver jus wants to change shift faster too. Yet, some JOKER has to press the bell when he/she was not going to alight. This happened for about 3 times. So the bus driver got quite pissed, he jus kept looking through the rear mirror, while keeping the exit door open, waiting for someone to alight. He just kept waiting and waiting and waiting. Until the bus driver behind our bus sounded his horn. But still, he waited a while more, as though silently insisting that someone is to get off the bus, until he decided to move off in the end. When the bus driver behind overtook us, he really gave this bus driver some kind of stare. Haha. Both drivers got such attitude, it makes it so interesting to see. But seriously the JOKER was really irritating-- wasted quite some time like that, else I could have reached home a few more minutes earlier after a long day at school.

Despite all these, I still like to take bus, especially to and fro NUS, it's much faster than taking the MRT. I like to take bus with Dear too, cos can take the time to talk to him as well. All in all, without the luxury of a car, simple thing like taking a bus can be a joy too. *minus the inconvenience and infrequency of the bus sometimes*

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Monday, March 28, 2005

By Maya Calica
Female March 2005

When it comes to lasting love, men aren't as shallow as we think they are. Sure, model-like proportions and pillow lips like Angelina Jolie's can make their heads swivel around a la Linda Blair in The Exorcist. But believe it or not, they long for qualities that go way beyond your vital stats (Earth to you: inner beauty does count). So take it from the boys: it's the little things that make him melt. So rest easy, 'cause he's crazy about you. Just the way you are.

You are most gorgeous when... you have no makeup on, and are wearing a white T-shirt, jeans and sneakers, with you hair up in a ponytail. "It's a universal look that makes guys turn to putty, " says Oscars, 32. "Maybe it's because we know you didn't have to try to look good, but you do anyway."
The sexiest thing about you... is your brain. An ex-boyfriend told me this, and while I secretly wished he'd said it was my butt, he drove home one truth: A man may be initially drawn to your physical assets, but he'll stick around when there's a sexy, smart mind to go with them.
Two things that drive him crazy: How you make him want to arm-wrestle you and kiss you at the same time. Sure, he wants a girlfriend. But if you make him feel comfortable the way a buddy does, he has the best of both worlds.
He can't wait to get into... one of those soul-baring conversations with you. "I love how my girlfriend gets me," says Miguel, 34, "She may not agree with everything I say, but she listens and argues. That means a lot to me."
The sound you make he adores most is... your laugh. Whether it's the nervous giggle you let out when he nuzzles your neck, or the guffaw you make when he does his best William Hung impersonation. You had him at "hee hee."
That thing you do when you're not aware of... you know, how you blush each time he compliments you, when you talk in your sleep, or the way you cross your eyes when you're embarrassed? It gets him every time.
You're adorable when you cry. OK, men turn into totally helpless creatures when they catch you sobbing at the movies or when your pet poodle dies. But let him know he made you feel better, and he'll be soaring like Superman...
He loves falling asleep... on your lap because it brings out the nurturing side of yours. You know, the one that emerges when he's sick or when he's had a bad day. The way you stroke his head, kiss his forehead, even hum him to sleep are precious to him. (Actually, half the time he's pretending just so he can enjoy the special treatment longer).
You whet his appetite... when you cook for him. Whether it's whipping up your mum's special chicken curry or simply toasting him a ham-and-cheese sandwich, he's super touched when you make the effort. "It makes me imagine how it's be like if we were married," shares Edmund. "I guess I am just an old-fashioned guy."

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Saturday, March 26, 2005

I feel smart for once, ever since a long long time ago. I found out that I have a perfect score in my test on Thursday!! I think the last time I had ever scored full marks was in primary or secondary school? Haha..so allow me to gloat abt this for awhile. Seriously, I should say a word of "Thank You" to Lady Luck too! I always feel that I'm quite a lucky ger when it comes to tests or exams. Somehow or another, I do have quite abit of luck. I may not come out tops, but definitely not in the bottoms, at least an average or better.

Dear got his attachment. He will be working with this Dutch company called Akzo-Nobel (if I didn't remember wrongly), and they have a small lab in Science Park near NUS. All along I thought his attachment was just for the holidays, only few days back then I found out that it was for the holidays and the entire next semester! Such a long time...with a pay of $600 a month only. Why should I be complaining when he isn't? (Cos....) Haha. Anyway it's a good thing that he'll be working near NUS, then at least he can have dinner with me one of the days in the week, else I probably won't get to see him at all...

I also want to work in the holidays, but I don't know where to start. Should I just go look for some holiday job, or source for attachment/internship that's related to what I'm studying now? Seriously, I also don't know what's really related. How to get started? Hai..jus allow me to procrastinate for another week or so, after the tests and project have been settled.

That's just so me-- being a slacker, a procrastinator, a last-minute worker, a fickle-minded person. I never allow myself to become so busy, and never been more efficient tonight when the deadline's just tomorrow. I can't make up my mind on what to do, and what I like too. But I would find it much easier to tell you what I don't like. Hmm...

On a happier note, for the very first time, I tried Royce chocolates (I can't read a thing!) I have only walked past the shop in Suntec before, but never thought that I had a chance to have some. Haha. It's really nice!! So heavenly..and yes, they are aphrodisiac, Edwin. With the exception of myself, I must warn other people of ur (hidden) intentions.

Just testing to see if I can become a secretary in the future when I fail to become a statistician or biostatistician, so I took this typing test. Seems like I had better study harder now, I can only type at 60 wpm. All the top 100 results of the week are at least 2 times my speed. Haha.

Anyway, it's a Saturday afternoon, I really should not be spending so much time online now. Perhaps meeting Dear later. That's abt all....

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Sunday, March 20, 2005

I'm offically 21, and yet when my senior asked me if I had any thoughts of entering adulthood, I told her this, "I wish I can be 20 every year". Contradicting isn't it? I do feel quite old now, considering that I may just be graduating in another yr or so (of course I wish I can stay on longer and graduate with a second lower class honours at least).

Anyway, here's how I spent the day. Nothing elaborate too. My dad brought the whole family to have buffet lunch at this Chinese restaurant at the Grassroots' Club. It's just alot of food..haha..that everyone was so full in the end. Then we came back home, with Dear in my house. He wanted to do some work first, cos he has an interview for his attachment the next day. So we had a mock interview, and I was trying hard not to laugh while asking him questions. (Actually I very much wanted to go to town or sth, and have a meal at B Boss, it's the place near PS with very nice ambience especially at night. Another time, perhaps.) Then in the evening, I went to meet Wanling and Meihui for dinner, along with Dear and my bro. Yes, my bro tagged along too, cos he wanted to go out! Argh..Dinner was at Ajisen's Ramen, nothing much to expect. I got my bday present from them, that's Creative's MuVo Slim mp3 player! I like the colour- metallic pink, similar to my hp, except it's of a lighter shade. Sad to say, for now, I have no use for it, cos I don't download mp3's. Any good sites to recommend, pls tell me k...

That's about it for the day. Frankly, I wanted to thank my dad for the good meal, and the hongbao that he gave me. Yet I didn't do it, cos I feel weird...I'm not one who will express my feelings for them, for some reason, I just can't. But I know, if anything were to happen to them, I will be arnd.

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Thursday, March 17, 2005

You're the only one who can listen to me.

Every once in a semester, I would feel especially stressed up and busy. Once only in a semester when all the deadlines, and tests seem to coincide with one another. That was the case on Wednesday! I had so many things that I wanted to do and yet I don't have the time- there was lab report to complete, two tutorials and one of which I really don't know how to do, plus I had to read the textbook for my Biochemistry test on Friday. In the end, I took so much time for lab report that I didn't read the textbook, and didn't try the other tutorial. I was supposed to do research for the project discussion on Thur, and in the end, I also didn't do so. Fortunately, it turned out that the meeting shall be postponed to Monday. So now I've got the weekend to do it at least.

It seems like we've all reached the busy part of the semester, with so many people complaining about many projects, many deadlines, many tests, and of course complaints of bad mid-term test results and also not starting to prepare for the exams. All the stress going around. I'd have either a test or my project due for every week until my study break, and then it would be exam time. It would be a long wait. Then it's finally LIBERATION!

It's a bad time of the week anyway. Feel so bottled up, and no one to turn to.

Waiting for the weekend.

::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: Simply 12:23 AM ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - :::

Wednesday, March 09, 2005

1. Cry
This works every time if it is not overused. Remember though, don't be too dramatic - there's no need to tear your hair, howl in anguish or throw yourself on the ground and cover yourself in ashes. On the other hand, a few meaningful tears will often soften him up enough to help him see your side of things

2. Keep on talking
Bore him into submission! This is particularly useful when justifying expensive purchases he doesn't approve of: 'I could have chosen the cheaper butcher's block (with no extra drawers or wine rack), but the deluxe version had hanging hooks, wine rack and removable dishwasher-proof chopping board. And although the super-deluxe (with fixable castors, a towel rail and two extra drawers) was very nice, I thought the deluxe, which came ready-assembled...'

3. Seduce him
Let's not discuss the mortgage/new car/where we're spending Christmas right now - I'm so horny! You'll find he's far more agreeable after a good session. God, us girls can be wicked sometimes!

4. Get his mum on your side
If he finds out that his mum agrees with you that nipple piercings on men are the best invention since sliced bread, you're far more likely to have him heading down to the piercing parlour. This can work with best friends, too, who also have a big influence over blokes, but Mummy is all-powerful and far more scary to defy!

5. Shout
For preference, do this in public. Blokes hate a scene and will often back down rather than fight it out - especially in front of friends or at expensive restaurants. But you don't want him going home and changing his mind, do you? So don't stop shouting until he gives in and surrenders utterly, categorically and pathetically to your wishes. There, that's a good boy!

6. Flatter his ego
'You're so GOOD at putting at the rubbish out/booking holidays/choosing presents for me...' Get the idea?

7. Beg
Say, 'Pleeeeease!' Be unashamedly abject. Stoop as low as you can, and then stoop lower! If something appears to mean so much to you, most men won't argue about it

8. Blame your period
You don't want him thinking you're completely useless for a week out of every month, but there are times when your period and PMT are great for getting you off the hook. Car accidents and forgetting to pass on messages are easily forgiven if committed at a certain time of the month. 'I'm sorry I slept with your best friend, but my period's about to start,' obviously won't go down so well

9. 'I did it for you!'
Claim that whatever you did wrong was done for the sole purpose of pleasing him. How were you to know he'd hate having a pink front door/a male stripagram (ooops!)/tickets to see Tom Jones?

10. Dig in those gorgeous high heels
As a last resort, try simply refusing to give any ground until you get your way. Most blokes find a forceful woman who really knows what she wants strangely attractive, and will often sit back and wonder rather than taking up the challenge against her. Very wise!

all from msn.com........

::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: Simply 10:54 PM ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - :::

Seriously, as the day draws nearer, my mood gets worse. Nothing is going right. I'm so sick of everything. As much as I anticipate the day, I know I should not be expecting too much, else the disappointment will be even greater. I can tell you, that feeling totally sux!

That's all I shall say. Not in a very good mood today. zzzzzz

::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: Simply 12:57 AM ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - :::

Sunday, March 06, 2005

I always feel accomplished after completing my lab report. Looking at it, I feel good..and pro!! Haha...That's a good 2 hours of work, at least. I've submitted it already. One week break and there's the second last lab report of this semester! Yeay..I also feel good when I finish the tutorial on regression, using the R console to generate models and plots. Haha. A little boost to my confidence like this.

I had taken 2 tests since sch reopened, and received all the results. Ok, don't ask anything else. 2 down, 3 more to go, all one week apart of each other. AND my bday happens to fall between two of them. SPOILER.

Just this thought as I was sitting on the bus today. How would you feel when someone takes the empty seat beside you if (i) he takes up all the space he can, even coming close to you, (ii) he sits as a small distance away from you? Ignore the aunties, for this question because they definitely will squeeze you to the side and take the seat.

When the bus went past the police academy, then it made me think how come I never wanted to be a police officer or a doctor as a child. In fact, I can't even remember what was my childhood ambition. A lawyer, a doctor, or what other is there? Not a nurse, I know for sure. Neither a statistician, I would not have known what this is at such a tender age. Haha. Well, I can still choose now, hope it's not too late...

I always wonder why my life science lecturers all talk about this and that nobel winning discovery, and how we (yeah, students like us) can be a nobel prize winner one day too. If it was that easy! One of them said this too, mathematicians who win the nobel prize are usually young people, because they are genius! So you either know it, or you don't. On the other hand, scientists who win the nobel prize are usually much older, because they spend almost their entire life in the laboratory working over and over again. So if it were you, which one would you choose? Haha.

I want to complain! 21st birthday is quite a chore! Supposed to be all celebrations, but behind that there's so much to do. Have to plan when, where and all the other details of having dinner, answer questions of what birthday presents I want etc etc. (which I will try to think of everynight..it works like counting the lambs, put me to sleep even faster in fact, and I still have nothing on the list! Haha) BUT !!! No bikinis ok, Qiulin and Zhihui. Else you're gonna get something even more personal! Wahaha. *evil* Everything is undecided...

In any case, I still look forward to the day. Perhaps can have a birthday cake. I haven't had one in ages.

The weekend was alright. BUT I feel cheated, cos Dear's friend said White Noise was scary, and so we went to watch it. Dear still said I shld hold his hand when I'm scared. Yet I was not even close to being scared, not even a bit. In fact it was quite boring. I was practically waiting for the "big scare"! Haha, but no, there wasn't one. Seems like it would take a really scary show for me to hold his hand and tell him I'm scared (I bet he will be too!) So everyone, don't watch the show! It's not worth the money, definitely not!

Well well, it's time to sleep soon. It's another week back at school...

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Tuesday, March 01, 2005

The 5-Factor IPIP Personality Test
What Makes You Unique?

Your most unique quality is that you're unusually Conscientious

You are the kind of person others depend on. You're competent, self-disciplined, and able to carry through with any plan you create. You've just got it together. You're also good at weighing the pros and cons of any situation and making sound, well-informed decisions. Compared to others who are conscientious, you are unusually organized. Only 1.6% of all test takers have this unique combination of personality strengths.

!!! Can't believe this is my test result. I'm so slack and yet it says I'm unusually conscientious! Looks like I can put up with that front quite well...hmmm...

::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: Simply 12:40 AM ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - ::: - :::