Kai, The Informologist

It’s habitual of me to appreciate a good movie with applause (just developed the habit, about an hour ago).

And “Stranger Than Fiction” is one of them.

No, no spoilers for you worriers. I’m just gonna share how I felt.

The on-film digital graphics were good, good add-ons, it made it felt more systematic, in a very neat way.
The casting were good, nice matching, honestly.
The after-feel, like a literature shower, made you feel really smart, in a way.
I now, too, feel like speaking in sophisticated words in a British ascent.

Good movie. Must, rent!

Studying in SPEA Library isn’t half-bad. I love the lighting and the extra couches for naps

The weekend was pretty relaxing as it turns out.

We did the Forbidden City for Saturday brunch, after Friday nights joint service, which was quite a buzz by Timothy’s standard, yet its also somewhat fun by mine.

Well, Sunday is Sunday. I made it through with Chiptole and Kroger combined. And hours and hours of sleep.

Now the wagon is moving again since 8am this morning (Monday).

Have a blastful week now.

(credit)
If you are good with earth-logy, you will know that Sun set earlier during winter (like 4pm) and later during summer (like 10pm).

Now if you have a series of long days, like I did, you will be fine in the Summer, because it will just be bright and your internal clock (there’s another word for internal and I can’t think of it), would be happy to soak in the sun. But not in the winter.

In the winter, you start to get drowsy at the sight of sunset and all you can think of is your slinky, queen-size bed with heater.

Yeah, that’s why I don’t enjoy having these long days at this time of the year. I think sleeping early would help, I should probably stop subbing into midnight shifts. Impossible.

Ways to Relax following a Drowsy Long Day – Allen Style:

• First thing first, but sorry Pipi, you have to stay in the restroom during this time.
• Get your hands on that tea-pack. I’m seriously hooked. It can really relax your mind. Even just psychologically.
• My mind’s at ease when my room’s not messy, so before winding down, clear the table.
• Now in my room, there’s a chair and a bed. Sit in the chair and rest your feet on the bed. (And sip the tea).
• Lastly, put in a Scrubs disc or any DVD that makes you laugh would work.
• Finally (following lastly), when all’s done. Just tug yourself to sleep.

Zzz…

The temperature finally rose.

Still, not a fun day to walk around campus with all the melting snow.

After writing my previous post, I happily went to do my business.
Along the way, I picked up an IDS (Indiana Daily Student) and came across an article titled “The fear behind fear”. It’s written by a veteran business columnist whom I think is very insightful simple because he writes and owns his own company . In the past I would have look at it with some seriousness, but now I seems to be reading it to look over it.

It talks about fear being the motivation that propels a large proportion of the society. I do agree with such thesis as it is evidential in our daily lives. The decisions we make about hanging out with friends, or speaking our mind. But thinking about the issue of fear, I have to relate back to God. Personally, becoming a Christian seems to lifted fears in my life. Not entirely of course, but to an extend that it does not dictates my life.

“We do not fear things or events; what we truly fear is not being able to deal with circumstances in our lives.”

I have fear of lack of money, and I have fear of health and death.
I’m facing it still.
While I’m at it, I pray.

Yeah man.

(credit)

In recent semesters, the work load seems to be flowing in fluidly.
They just kept coming.

Well, not entirely, actually.
I, too, may play some part in its continuous success to burden me.

Like I prophesized, I pushed my workload till Sunday. And surprise surprise, I had a busy Sunday night (eating Hot Pots everywhere). Now something was due on Monday had to be done 6a.m. in the morning. Not really a pleasant thing for my body.

And again, another paper is due in 2 hours or so, and I have yet to put all the words together. Aha. And counting the hours that I’m up till the time I will get off work. Poor me.

For now, just drink more Coke and start writing the paper already.

Have a wonderful day! (the temperature is finally rising, so comes the rain.)

*P/S: I miss those one-year long school years back in Singapore. Ahhh…

(credit)

In recent semesters, the work load seems to be flowing in fluidly.
They just kept coming.

Well, not entirely, actually.
I, too, may play some part in its continuous success to burden me.

Like I prophesized, I pushed my workload till Sunday. And surprise surprise, I had a busy Sunday night (eating Hot Pots everywhere). Now something was due on Monday had to be done 6a.m. in the morning. Not really a pleasant thing for my body.

And again, another paper is due in 2 hours or so, and I have yet to put all the words together. Aha. And counting the hours that I’m up till the time I will get off work. Poor me.

For now, just drink more Coke and start writing the paper already.

Have a wonderful day! (the temperature is finally rising, so comes the rain.)

*P/S: I miss those one-year long school years back in Singapore. Ahhh…

Just you and the world.

Most of you who reads blogs should be very (very… very…) familiar with e-mails.

It’s indeed a very convenient way of communication.
A whole day of writing, white-out, writing, white-out, think-think, writing, white-out, can be a bit of hassle, although there is plenty of romance in the process.

It was 1997, email came around and I got really excited and amazed at the speed of the conversations.

Me to Someone: Hi, I’m gonna send you an email, CALL me when you get the email.

Click. Sent.

“Ringggg!”

… Wow! 3 seconds!

So yeah, that was the Most Exciting Thing of the Year 1997.
(I also had a cellphone back then, it was 12cm long)

But now, its a daily thing, and its not just sending emails to friends, you got to send it to professors, group project teammates, companies, human-resource managers, secret admirers, etc.

Read the rest of this entry »

Pipi was curious about the snow fall.

Instead of a cultural ‘White Christmas’, we Singaporeans in Bloomington is lucky enough to get a White Chinese New Year.
And to exchange for all the whiteness, we gave up our red-packets (required) and oranges (optional).

However, with one big room, a long table, and two hot pots, (oh and a box of teh kotak) we are happy.
Yeah, and the All-Star game was on too.

Pipi was curious about the snow fall.

Instead of a cultural ‘White Christmas’, we Singaporeans in Bloomington is lucky enough to get a White Chinese New Year.
And to exchange for all the whiteness, we gave up our red-packets (required) and oranges (optional).

However, with one big room, a long table, and two hot pots, (oh and a box of teh kotak) we are happy.
Yeah, and the All-Star game was on too.

Ingenious way of snow fight. Poor Joy.

I’m always glad when Fridays come around.
Not only can I put off work until Sunday, but I can finally meet up with the Timothians (yes, you guys rocks).

I think I have had quite a laid-back 1.5 semester so far.
But every so often, the thoughts of getting back into the game pops right back up. Not that I was ever good/great at it. Just persistent (Oh that’s just sad).

You know, thinking back, it can get really tiring to waking up each morning with the sole motivation being to impress people, or people. All the shirt-pants-shoes matching, cologne ‘pssssing’ and hair-grabbing.
See, I think doing it every once in a while is cool. I mean its like a self-service confidence growing catalyst.
(Yeah?)

But yeah, I think the life that I now live is pretty awesome.
And recently some friends and my roommate told me I have slimmed down (which is awesome?).
So all’s good.

San Francisco Pillow Fight 2007 – from Laughing Squid.

If you were single yesterday – I hope you enjoyed the snow.

If you were a couple yesterday – good for you. Sorry about your wallet, guys. You still have 364 days left till 2.14.08.

If you were a thousand people yesterday – how was the pillow fight? I bet it was a dream-come-true moment for someone.

If you were a nation yesterday (e.g. China) -  I pray that your promise for a better world will prevail.

Happy 1-day-after-vday-day!

San Francisco Pillow Fight 2007 – from Laughing Squid.

If you were single yesterday – I hope you enjoyed the snow.

If you were a couple yesterday – good for you. Sorry about your wallet, guys. You still have 364 days left till 2.14.08.

If you were a thousand people yesterday – how was the pillow fight? I bet it was a dream-come-true moment for someone.

If you were a nation yesterday (e.g. China) -  I pray that your promise for a better world will prevail.

Happy 1-day-after-vday-day!

Jason, making snow angel. Painfully.

Oral surgery was a success, I’ve a replacement tooth now. It does hurt like crazy though. Even now.

But there was joy in the day.

So Jason visited me after my thing and we went to the library to meet up with Joy. To be her model for her class.

And the above shot was taken when he randomly decided to do ’something he wanted to do for a long time’.

Yea, playing in the snow – Fun.

Jason, making snow angel. Painfully.

Oral surgery was a success, I’ve a replacement tooth now. It does hurt like crazy though. Even now.

But there was joy in the day.

So Jason visited me after my thing and we went to the library to meet up with Joy. To be her model for her class.

And the above shot was taken when he randomly decided to do ’something he wanted to do for a long time’.

Yea, playing in the snow – Fun.

Heaven’s present to Bloomington’s Photographers:

Blue sky outside my apartment.

Icy icy – Tree branches got frozed.

I used someone else’s ‘icy’ shot yesterday. But this is MINE! (Sorry, but I really love it)

For more … myFlickr

I’m heading out for my +1 tooth. See you with a happier smile later.

It rained water/icy stuff and it rained water/icy stuff + wind = Icy Tree.

Icy tree – I can see it shivering. Right there!

Art of nature.


The effect of the weight of ice on the tree – poor tree.

And last night (and tonight) – tons of snow.

Now if you know how to enjoy life – go slip some hot tea and watch snow fall. And if you have a fire-place. Perfecto.

If you are from Seattle – we (Indiana) have finally made a comeback with estimated 1 foot of snow. But its not gonna be so fun for the students who has to walk/take bus to school. And I only owns whimpy sneakers.

Note: All photos are taken in Bloomington, Indiana.

The exam wasn’t much fun – although I tried hard to make it interesting. I think it was the sleets that killed it.

So along with the Anna Nicole Saga (which I never follow and I don’t think you guys should too. You time has better purpose to it), is my Broken-Tooth Saga. Of course with a relatively smaller number of spectators.

Last night, after I got home, I called my Mum with a heavy heart. I had to tell her the cost of the surgery and the replacement tooth, which rang up to $3,000+. She wasn’t ready, especially after weeks of busy work. So I made a deal with her to give her more time and to get back to her in the morning (which is night time in Singapore).

For the entire night, I was worry, worry and worrying. The cost, the surgery, and the exam (which I definitely ‘under-studied‘). I prayed to God, but I have no idea what would happen. I was the man with little faith.

After letting my mum know that the oral surgery can be paid 1-week after, thereby giving her time to wire/send the money. We are cool. Cool-er.

Then a couple of minutes later, she called me.
She was with our ‘life-long‘ insurance agent (Lily).
And Lily told me that the entire thing can be covered by insurance (thanks AIA)!

The first thought was – Haha.
God is good.
And God provides.
And God loves us (me in this case).
And He really came through for me this time around.

Then I called Yuanyuan (circle-circle) and told her what happened, and she said “Wow”.

Yeah, Wow.

Blinky & Tiger – belongs to BM

This is not exactly random since I have put some thoughts into it, but somewhat unlogical since Pipi has been work.

BUT, Blinky and Tiger looks great together. And on top of that, they live in Singapore! So… maybe I can handle two?

By the way, Pipi grew up so much!

Before:

After:

Haha.. for more Pipi – my flickr.

Blinky & Tiger – belongs to BM

This is not exactly random since I have put some thoughts into it, but somewhat unlogical since Pipi has been work.

BUT, Blinky and Tiger looks great together. And on top of that, they live in Singapore! So… maybe I can handle two?

By the way, Pipi grew up so much!

Before:

After:

Haha.. for more Pipi – my flickr.