witblitz

I have the best parents in the world.

Seriously, they are so supportive of whatever I do I will never be able to repay their kindness. 

Let’s just put it out there: at 2.5k per module for international students, Off-Campus modules are grossly over-priced, and there is nothing that can justify why it costs the same to do a unit On-Campus and Off-Campus.

Granted, it gives you the flexibility of time, but what you lose out on are contact hours, the classroom environment, and the proper learning experience.

In my time at Monash University, I’ve taken a few modules Off-Campus, some by choice (summer modules), and some because they’re simply not offered at my Campus. I’ve had my fair share of amazing support, and awesome lecturers who constantly check up on your progress, even if you’re Off-Campus, but like all things in life, we usually only remember the bad stuff.

Lecturers that openly tell you they hate technology and thus won’t be responding to emails often, lecturers who openly tell you they won’t be monitoring online discussions because of their dislike of technology, and even lecturers who tell you they won’t be available for contact time.

Thus, it begs the question, what am I paying 2.5k for?

Dear Asshole,

Please stop acting as if everyone owes you anything and that you’re the king of the world.

Truth is, you’re just a motherfucking asshole who’s extremely lucky the people around haven’t eaten you alive yet. 

There was no need to send an email. Sure, maybe it absolves any blame or fines due to our house because you claim the mess is not yours. But here’s a big fuck you: because YOU are messy too. YOU leave shit in the sink, YOU leave shit on the benches, but WE do not give a shit because it’s a house of 9, and we live and let live. So, if WE can live with YOUR SHIT, must you really dig around just to take photos and send it in in an email to complaint? 

Stop taking / using our shit. We stopped being friends a long time ago. There is no doubt about that. So seriously, why the fuck are you still touching our shit and using them with such impunity? You know, even friends stop to ask friends if they can “borrow” their shit before using. You, instead, just take it as if it’s yours, use it as if its yours, and curse and swear when it’s not available to you. Once again, let me remind you, we DO NOT owe you anything, so GET OVER YOURSELF. Stop using MY pots and pans. Stop using MY sauces and spices. Stop using MY kitchen tools and accessories. Stop using Bryna’s television. Stop using Jason’s kitchen towels. Seriously, that is the most fucked up. It’s other people’s shit. Must you really use it all up, and NOT replace it? Who in the world takes other people’s shit without asking, and then only confess when the others are looking for their missing shit? Thieves.

I can go on, but I stopped caring a long time ago. Right now, I just want to see you gone. Fucking far away. Take your shit with you. Take your piece of shit red car, and your ugly bike with you. You are seriously not wanted/needed at all here. Go fuck up someone else’s life. We are done with you.

1. Stop rushing to eat. Set aside more time for eating, for shopping and preparation, for enjoying life. Stop rushing to fast food places because it’s convenient — because it’s not so convenient to be hospitalized. Instead, make time, and take things a bit slower.

2. Prepare your own meals. I know, who has the time? You do. Make the time, and cook simple meals without a lot of ingredients or preparation time. It takes 10 minutes to whip together a healthy and tasty lunch or dinner. And it can be a lot of fun (get the family or your partner involved). Preparing your own meals is healthier, frugal, and you know you’re eating good food.

3. Eat real food, not processed. Buy fresh ingredients such as fruits, veggies, whole grains, nuts, beans, and the like. Use ingredients you can recognize, not things filled with chemicals. Don’t use prepared food if you can avoid it — microwaveable or boxed foods are not the best. Avoid processed food at all costs.

4. Eat slowly and mindfully. Too many people stuff food down their gullets these days. It’s not healthy, and you’ve just consumed food without enjoying it. Instead, take the time to chew your food, to taste it, to be present as you eat.

5. Enjoy the food. Fully savor each bite. Appreciate the miracle of the food you’re eating, and be grateful you have that bite at all.

6. Take time to breathe, and smile. Before you begin to eat, smile, and take a deep breath, reminding yourself to be present and enjoy the food. Between bites, instead of rushing to the next bite, breath, relax, enjoy. Savor the moment.

7. When drinking tea, just drink tea. When eating, just eat. Be fully present. Don’t read a book or surf the net or drive or work or anything else but eat and drink.

8. Good conversation. OK, the exception to the above rule: eating with friends and family. Fast food has destroyed the good meal and conversation, because we’re rushing as we eat and don’t have time for a good talk. Bring it back.

9. When you do eat at a restaurant, make it a good one. Avoid the fast food places, but also the chain restaurants. Go to locally owned restaurants where they use real ingredients and really make good food. These may be more expensive, but you’re not supporting a corporation and your food will be better, and even if it means eating out less that’s OK — quality is more important than quantity.

I have been taking a lot of taxis ever since I got back to Singapore for the summer holidays.

I do not own a car in Singapore (nor do I want to buy one presently), and I do not think very highly of the public transport system (too crowded, warm air-conditioning, noisy commuters who can’t shut up, inconsiderate commuters), therefore I take taxis.

It gets you from point A to point B in the shortest, fastest, most comfortable way imaginable and more often than not, the taxi driver and you will engage in some conversation.

Over the past 2-3 weeks that I have been back, taxi drivers and I have debated over Singapore’s current economic, social, cultural, political situation, the world, Australia, migration, smoking, food, etc.

And somehow, each and every taxi driver’s words resonate around the same topic, eventually: unemployment, financial crisis and how the government is reacting.

Interestingly, I realise I’m learning more about Singapore’s current situation (and perhaps a more accurate picture), than what I am seeing in the newspapers, and news programmes.

So perhaps, Singapore’s leaders should take a taxi ride, and have a no holds barred conversation with one of these taxi drivers (who are daring enough to speak their mind).

Is that most of us are too selfish, too greedy, too lazy, and too ungracious.

I just obtained my results for the final semester of my undergraduate degree.

I’m now officially a graduate with a degree in Bachelor of Arts (Communications), with a minor in History-Politics.

I can also move on, and embark on my postgraduate studies (which commences Feb 2010).

Life is beautiful.