Q: Why can't my pets be as metal?

This is meant to be Friday's post, best be warned about the chronological order of event occurrence.

Anyhow, I left the house early to board a bus towards the Inner Harbor for the conference I pre-registered a month ago under the generous sponsorship of my workplace. Getting there early was my priority considering I volunteered to do signing in for continuing education unit forms. As you'd expect from a perfect plan, it doesn't always guarantee a smooth start. Despite me preparing sufficient cash for the bus ride, I failed to consider the possibility that a 20 sen coin would end up camouflaging my quarter coins. Of course, I did not have an extra quarter inside my pocket either. But needless to say, I rode on confidence and wore a poker face to get me on the bus, and I successfully did after the machine finally accepted the coin (after numerous retrievals from the return coin slot). 

Getting there was a cinch. I knew my way around Inner Harbor and was quick to locate the hotel once I had Hyatt Regency in my sight. The Sonnesta conveniently sits right next to the harbor and upon entrance, I was embraced with Christmas. Tall decorated pine trees, wreaths, and a big gingerbread model of the hotel got me excited at the very thought of winter. Soon, the crowd of behavior analysts swamped the second floor, readying themselves for the talks and poster sessions of the day. I ended up leaving early due to exhaustion. BrittanyB drove me home and we had quite a laugh inside her car about people from the unit. 

The day came to a close with two pieces of roti pratha, three oranges, and an early sleep at nine.

No such thing as equality,
Vonnie S.

Q: Maybe some people are just passing through to teach us a lesson.

Go watch the top 10 finalist of this year's BMW short film competition. There are some really good stuff this time round and I am not even kidding. Despite wanting to take an early snooze, I am wide awake for these videos. Ten masterpieces well done indeed!

Check it out yourself here: http://www.bmwshorties.com.my/index.php/showcase/top-10-finalist-2012

I am rooting for ya, Chua Dick Woei!
http://www.youtube.com/v/uiGzmNko7jg&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&autoplay=1

Bam bamm badam,
Vonnie S.

Q: Stix and stones ain't breaking ma bones...

I took a three day break from updating you on Vonnie’s life. As you may be aware, life as a graduate student is like sitting on a durian. You cannot ever friggin slack for you’ll end up with holes in your bottoms; in short you’re screwed for chillaxing. Thus, what little time I had was invested into studying as there is only but three weeks of the semester left to go. And in answering my effulgent dedication, I had an excellent time with my third exam on Tuesday, which explains this hiatus.

Pit against my schedule at work, I went for an appointment for my CPT application on campus. In the process, had lunch with ChaiS, VeenaN, SantoshT & HJ at the dining hall. Pecan rice, barbecue chicken and pork spare ribs were on the menu, and I am pleased to say that the ribs sold out because of my gluttony. One can’t help it after being on a rather vegetarian diet for nearly two days now. Spent two hours with Veena at the Commons area to cheer her up with prep talk. On the way home, I noticed the sky was lowering its curtains earlier than before. Barely 5pm and the streetlights were already lit in preparing for the dark. I hurried into Godiva for my complimentary November truffle, then double skipped my way toward the next bus stop for home bound.

And then, I fell into my bathtub. What a way to end an otherwise unproductive day of a certain graduate student. Teehee.

Don't cha go missing,
Vonnie S.

Q: Hou siennnnnn ahhhhh......

Have you ever done Postcrossing before? The idea of creating a website in which postcard lovers from all over the world can exchange postcards is ground-breakingly brilliant, so much so that I had to join in on the fun. You create an account and have to send one postcard before you're entitled to receive one from a random stranger. It's a good system to ensure no users abuse the website. Anyway, I just sent my first Postcrossing postcard to a random Tatiana of Russia. Conveniently, I purchased two postcards from Barnes & Noble for that reason; one with an aerial view of the Inner Harbor and the other is of my workplace's building (I sent that home for mom and dad to see). Then again, you can say I have simply nothing better to do or you can be nicer by saying that I am as curious as a cat with seven lives. (What ever happened to the previous two lives, no one knows.)

A new user can send up to five postcards at a time. However tempting it was to maximize the exchange, I restricted myself to just one at a time for now. I'll send another only when I've received one. That would ensure I don't donate my entire savings to the bookstore. Ah, yet a likely thing as its location is but a stone's throw away from here.

Such an illusion,
Vonnie S.

Q: Silence is golden, unless you have a toddler. Then, silence is just suspicious.

Did my extended grocery shopping two hours ago. By "extended" I really mean 'a lot more than usual'. My kitchen was painstakenly barren, which ultimately costed me two cups of instant noodles for both meals of the day. Sad but true. Plus I am a lazy person during most waking hours, so a three minute dish (if it even qualifies as one) is a rare blessing and I savored every slurp of the noodles (however carcinogenic it in fact were). Of course, that too meant I have no more food for dinner. This lazy person had to go outside to harvest stock up, oh the horror. Why, a fifteen minute walk feels like an hour with this kind of temperature, can't I just order in tonight?

And I was outdoors, dragging a cart towards Giant. The purchase of the cart I assure you, is a reasonable one. A benign investment that would save me multiple trips to the store and from chancing at a broken back (choi). I am a proud owner of Carty (an arbitrary name, quite common of its kind); the thing did a splendid job dragging $50 worth of groceries with hardly but a small rough jerk on the wheels over the curb. Heck, I took the chance to visit the Asian store right beside Giant and found almost everything I intend a necessity to cook fried rice. More than that actually; ayam masak merah and the black pepper fish dish are totally doable now. Good grief! I need not ever travel to H Mart. What a find!

Back home from the walk, I was munching away on roasted chicken. No more shopping for a bit. You're going down Black Friday!

The aftermath,
Vonnie S.

E: Happy Turkeygiving Day!

The turkey is roasted, cut up into equal portions for hungry visitors of the Shank’s warm and cozy home. And there before me lay a mountain of lip-smacking cranberry sauce, tummy-tucking mash potatoes and eye-misting apple cider, such is a delightful Thanksgiving dinner, is what I’d like to say.

Unfortunately, I am easily 500 miles from my daydream world, digging into what I coined pasta kosong. (Hence, besting your mee kosong, air kosong, and otak kosong, that is if you even have an otak to begin with.) I keed. Simple food is pleasant at times like these; when you’re surrounded with good friends and watching Mean Girls on Netflix. So, I end up spending the night over at ArianneS’, since she’s been going through some difficult times without EricB around. Gosh, why and when they decided to break off the relationship is still bugging me, though I shan't prod further. Of course, I don’t ever want to see a dam breaks to flood a serene night, even more so since it’s a holiday. Plus, us four are comfortably bundled up on the couch, talking away about ourselves way past bedtime. I made a new colorblind friend too; have to input this info here because she is after all, the highlight of the night. Let’s see, everyone had to drink one shot of hard Arnold Palmer each time she picks the wrong M&M colors.

I am thankful for having people to love every day. 

Slept like a log,
Vonnie S.

Q: Well, we talked about everything else and Eric.

So, there was a good five presentations for class today, and JS was one of the presenters. I can't do anything about him anymore considering he enjoys attention in general. While the rest had pretty much a dime a dozen standard presenting methods, JS went one level higher by engaging the audiences. I was enthralled by his ability to execute this well; sure wish I can do the same. But that's about the one thing I liked, the rest was kinda screwy, the boy had to put me in the limelight. First, he had to begin introduction with this, "Good evening, (prof name), (my name), and everyone else." If that wasn't embarrassing enough, throughout the presentation, he commented on little things I did, from nodding to filling the class in on definitions. Surely I was paying attention and being on my feet the entire time because of that, I had no room to space out, not even for one slide. Bloody hell. Now he's got a couple of my friends talking.

Better than that,
Vonnie S. 

Q: What's this soft thing? Oh, it's your hand.

I strutted into the unit feeling light as a feather, as though my brain decided to take an early leave to go celebrate Thanksgiving. RebccaG had just surprised me with a Starbucks yogurt parfait on her desk. Eating the sweet will have to wait till lunch, so into the employees' fridge it went. We parted slightly at the entrance because the Ethiopian had to get her laptop. We are moving forward since our child has been doing well on the treatment analysis. Turning around the corner, MaeganP looked as though she had an axe to grind this early in the morning. What happened now, I wondered. I supposed it may be the workload readings we have to cover for class next week, I was pretty sure as I was in the same boat. Just as soon as we were within two feet apart, she said, "oh my gosh, I hate Sasuke. He's such a turd." We all hate Sasuke now don't we...that's besides the point, my friend is really into Naruto these days. Not that I'm complaining. Haha^^

Guess who's contending in Miss Malaysia 2013? One of my ol' Sunway University pal is! Gosh, I watched like an episode of her via Youtube and I must say she's holding on well. So proud to tell people about that, but chances are, I am not even going to brag about it unless of course the topic comes to light.

What man,
Vonnie S.

Q: Nobody cares until it's too late.

Guys, I'm back from a very hearty dinner at Charles Commons. The turkey and mash potatoes are working their way into getting disintegrated, which explains the burping. CarmenS and friends are still there; I liked the company of undergraduates for a change of scenery. Anyhow, I managed to score like four cans of ice lemon tea to keep me awake in the night for readings. I have but three chapters and two articles to go through. I suppose moving at snail pace isn't helping no more. Check this out: the season greetings cards have arrived! Thirty in total, but not all will go out into the mail. Guess who's lucky enough to score one of them later this December?

Ate: Turkey, mash potato, cranberry sauce, corn bread, green bean casserole, stuffings, girl scout's thin mints, and one chocolate chip cookie.

My speed,
Vonnie S.

Q: Anyone can be cool, but awesome takes practice.

Photo was featured on the WMU Facebook page. This was my best shot of the Bronco statue I loved so much. Of course, I just need to plan how to erect a similar one at my future home. Shall I add wings and a horn to it? Too awesome to be true. Probably not a white statue considering that the color gives a reason for nature to tarnish its purity. Gotta go now, Thanksgiving dinner awaits!

Unrefrigerated pizza,
Vonnie S.

Q: I go there to sleep, but they pay me well, win!

Had brunch at NatalieT's place with CarmenS's friends from Singapore and other places, bottom line Asians. Hands down, Nat makes one heaven of a bacon, easily the best I've ever had! Cooked to crisp yet juicy with no burnt sides, the bacon complimented other sweet dishes on the table. I contributed baby carrots, figuring to add a healthy option into the menu of otherwise junk food loving college students. In that warm lazy afternoon, eight of us chilled in the living room, singing to yesterday's music and talking about studies. It was a good break from the books, plus this group of people are decently friendly which makes establishing conversations easy. Now that I'm back in my apartment stuffed with waffles, strawberries, and velvet cakes, I can turn my study mode on again.

Bow wow,
Vonnie S.

Q: StuDYING. Seeming less and less like a coincidence.

Cool. There's an Interfaith Thanksgiving dinner at the Commons on Sunday, which spells free food. It's probably a good thing I didn't go grocery shopping this week. Honestly tho, nothing saddens me more than gazing upon an empty fridge, but I'd live. Hopkins is generous enough to open its doors for all to attend. Plus, the event is located pretty much a stone's throw away from my place. Nothing to lose for sure, and I don't have to cook for the night. Anyway, these fruit smoothie drinks I've been having for the week is doing wonders to my skin. Probably, the liquid packed some sort of vitamin booster for I have been feeling much happier off late too. There is magic in eating a healthy diet I suppose, and I have to thank my institute for the week's supply.

Dinosaur creek,
Vonnie S.

Q: Emo emo sikit but I like this song.

This song is just what I need today. For awhile since beginning grad school, I always felt overwhelmed by the information I have to conceive each week. Then I thought about the fact that I am not alone on this road, it gave me a little more courage to stride forward every day. I suppose some slip up at times is okay, "because it's the first time for everybody, [and that] we are all amateurs on the stage of this world."

Stargazing,
Vonnie S.

Q: Let's switch places for a bit, you'll get it.

Remind self to only do a battle with Kauvara; she's an easy opponent despite the decent hp. A useful tip for battledomers, you need a Golden Compass and Hanso Charisma Charm weapon combination to pack a punch. Not cheap considering these babies will cost up to half a million neopoints (last checked by PL). Bah, inflation sucks! Anyway, I had a great time talking to PL for like three hours! Love ya, sista!

Haveta draw a hawk for JH and a dairy cow for MonicaL.

Sign,
Vonnie S.

Q: Stop! You're making her even more nervous now.

False alarm. Exam results wasn't unveiled just yet, perhaps better luck next week suckers! At 7 pm, I felt a huge weight on my shoulder was lifted, as though I'd thrown all that bag of sand onto the beach, made two sandcastles out of them and had my classmates admired my works. Two castles were built and examined thoroughly, safe to say that no hazardous mishaps occurred during the construction and tour. Glad presentations were finally over. My classmates were clamoring more so than usual, praising away at the structure, decorations, and my "cute" English. Bah, one hoped I switched language midway for the sake of entertainment. Why, I am taking notes as we speak.

Alright, I have to talk about JH. He's been a little more bolder than usual, cheering my name at the end of my slides. Though honestly put me into an uncomfortable limelight, I can't seem to dislike the guy. Before class, we talked at the hallway for a bit; he shook me by the shoulders "to calm my nerves," and told me that I should go out for coffee with him sometime once semester ends. Aiks, I had a sudden flashback of my fall fling.

So how ar,
Vonnie S. 

Q: Epic genius, bud! Job well done.

My colleagues sent a manhunt for me this morning. The reason being that I wasn't on the unit today but at home, struggling to finish my presentation for today's class. I had to admit that I made a mistake trusting someone else to pass the message to my supervisors. There was like five messages in my inbox, all work related and pretty much sums the question "where are you?" While I was determined to remain off duty till class later at 4.30 pm, I can't help but to feel guilty. So, instead of being stubborn about it, I quickly finished off work and head out to the institute. And I was glad I did. LilyD broke her toe when my little lion flipped a table on her, rendering loss of patient contact. Even though I arrived shortly two hours before work ended, I felt my presence needed for now. At least till LilyD gets better.

So I've gotten back my midterm results for one of the class. An average score, but I was already mighty satisfied with my score. Am so not looking forward to tomorrow's for sure, because I know for the fact that I perform poorly on that one. But hey, like Kavi said, "no expectations, no disappointment." Anyway, it was still a great start to the week. I had my instructor praised me for my presentation on Pavlovian Conditioning. "Rescorla's paper is super complex, but you managed to pull it off." I was really surprised at the response because I knew for sure some of my classmates were yawning away. I don't know if it's because I grew monotonous over the minutes or simply due to the fact that it was a long day. Though I must say, I caught MaeganP and JasonH laughing at the back. What for, I don't know but MaeganP assured me that it wasn't me, but it was just the way I chose to present the introduction. 

49/50 man,
Vonnie S.

Q: Or we can be the seven friends of Narnia, eh?

First day of rule enforcement did not end without a hiccup. Out of sheer curiosity, I watched another episode of Amagami SS. That violated the rule I placed on myself. But, I am bending it for now, just to get behavior momentum running. As punishment, I'll have one episode less to watch tomorrow, or maybe none at all if I choose to wake late. How effective was my plan? I spent the whole day on one article and forming the script of my presentation due Tuesday. Not too shabby a result, though I honestly wished I didn't spend so much time online gaming. Heck, I have a new trophy, so I'd let it pass. Anyway, I'll have the whole Sunday to work on Monday's presentation. It scares me that I have no anxiety in the face of urgency, especially when it involves these incomplete tasks. Weird you say, I thought it's weird myself. Thus, explained the whole self talking (or preaching) today. Yes, I have officially hit rock bottom.

GavinL had to ingrain the fact that he's in Singapore over the weekends, enjoying Anime Festival Asia. Friend made a tremendous effort to make an international call just to let me hear FLOW's Sign. It made my day, papa. :)

Jelly much,
Vonnie S.

Q: Sacrifices minute or humongous is not done for every Tom, Dick and Harry so it's noteworthy.

It is past mid semester; already I made a realization that I have not forged a good study habit. For starters, I like lying belly flat on my bed reading journal articles, especially right about now when the temperature is dropping. Snuggling underneath my blanket is but a pre-programmed instinct all burrowing mammals have. (Mind you, I am not suggesting I resemble a rodent.) The way I divide my pie is another hopeless cause, save for pizza (mostly pre-cut), and I was referring to my time management. Alright, I always fall through despite putting up a lovely timetable of equally proportioned activities, a big chunk of which goes to work and studies. Quite the contrary, a rebel like myself prefer to flip such a well-made schedule, just to regret it big time. Like so, I don’t eat well nor sleep enough, which explains the dang pimple manifesting against my will. Hopefully this post will remind me to be careful with myself.

Note for self-improvement:
- You’ll rise at 7.30am at least five times a week.
- For each successful awakening, you’d be permitted to watch one anime episode.
- You will sit at the table to study.
- Managing to do so for five hours and should you maintain focus, you’ll get another episode to watch.
- Eat more vegetable and fruits: Two portions a day for tentative minimum.
- Go to bed by midnight. Failing to do so will result in losing $1. Collected money will go to charity.

Wow, I am impressed with one of my neighbors. Ave Maria on violin is bouncing off the walls like it's an orchestra night.

Effective tomorrow,
Vonnie S.

Q: What is the use of a Porsche when the driver is brainless...

I've accidentally stumbled upon the World Book Night US website while I was taking a break from reading a chapter on functional analysis. The battery on my laptop needed to be plugged in for charging anyway, so I gave it a go out of curiosity. It is a program that allows the general public to apply via the website to be a Giver whose mission is to give away twenty books to random people on April 23rd next year. If the applicant is accepted to join the rank, he or she will be able to collect the books (of one's choice out of the thirty on the list) from a designated store nearby. Their aim is to promote reading, on the other end, I needed to find something meaningful to do, so we're even that way. I just signed up with my choice of The Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho), Still Alice (by Lisa Genova), and Good Omens (by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman). Truth to be told, I have yet to read the latter two books. But they sound equally fascinating, I figured that the strangers I give these books to would appreciate them. Now that this turns into a waiting game, I shall drop Iwata's two article a read before getting a break again.

You may check this out yourself @ http://www.us.worldbooknight.org/

Got myself ten free holiday cards! Whaddup!

Read woman,
Vonnie S. 

Q: Did u watch even after the credits???

See the gorilla towards the end of this video? DarshanJ had a minor role in it, but he sure can bust some moves! At least he's in a Youtube video with 300k views. This was something I remembered talking with a couple of friends about back in WMU. Ah, wonder when only we can pull something like this off since everyone is everywhere now. But, it's in my bucket list of things to do before I meet my pet terrapin again. If only I can finish grad school tomorrow!

Panas wei,
Vonnie S.

Q: Life as a student overseas huh!?

Credits to Rona-Keller (c) soulfully everlasting

There must be something wrong with me today. For once, I am feeling the heat which is terrible since it is really cold outside and here I lay cocooned with the blanket covering my head. It is not a fever, I am certain of it. The sudden rush was the aftermath of my second mid term exam. I may possibly do really poorly in this one. And I may sound like I'm far-fetching, I am certainly hoping I am this time, but I shook really hard for real knowing that I made a mistake underestimating this test. I am pretty sure MeaghanP will have something to say about the exam tomorrow. I mean, my classmates are bloody overachievers!

Ha Burned,
Vonnie S.

Q: I think I gave you everything I owe you.

Credits to Wes-Talbott (c) A Warm Welcome

So excited for The Hobbits and Life of Pi this year! My favorite books are coming out on screen; both equally eye candies (graphics wise) spun by great confectioners (by that I mean, directors). Now the only real question is: will I find time to sneak into a theater to watch them? If so, who to ajak along?

Dude from Leap program came by today to see if they would accept little lion boy back into their school. Our team has been a little jittery from the experience since we'll never know when this child's switch may flip. I could only watched ChloeM ran academics with him and hoped for the best. After two sessions and a sigh of relief, like mighty proud parents, we're really happy to say he made it.

Ayeyayai,
Vonnie S.

Q: Overflow laaaa overflow ady!!

It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's the end of the daylight saving time. Overjoyed me had an extra hour to sleep in before a full day's work. Have to get at least four chapters down before preparing the presentation. Finger crossing that the professor doesn't replace it within this week and the next. It will be back-to-back mid terms, tomorrow onward and I can't really say for sure that I am 100% ready, perhaps merely sufficient to pass. Then again, grades are nothing but consolation in grad school and to maintain one's standing within the program. Knowing that may have taken a load off my shoulders, but still I would choose to be vigilant about the quality of work I deliver. Anyway, lunch break shall come first!

Calm down yo,
Vonnie S. 

Q: It built up over time only, no?

Rumage of a city
Those who died recieve pity
A ringing in their ear
As bombs dropped on those they hold dear

You whisper
"Sweetie, it's okay"
But your voice
Sounds far away

Far away
Is a place of dreams
But here
It's bursting at the seams

Children used to play
But now people sob in dismay
Cheering of crowds
Replaced by homes now mounds

Oh, take me away
Show me a brighter day
Where smiles can be found
And the world blares a peaceful sound

Q: I'd be happy if you follow us, cos I'll see you in the afterlife.

If justice cannot be upheld without causing pain, or sacrificing others, then this road of truth will someday fall apart and disappear. After all, you don’t pick with emotions, but decide on it in the name of the greater good. If there’s no anguish over the choice, that decision’s an easy one to make. How can it still be justice if it causes pain and suffering? Even fish can swim freely, why should we be any different? And those of us who chooses to be different will never be any lower than someone like you who openly flaunts such fake beliefs in religion.

Indigma,
Vonnie S.

E: Happy Halloween 2012!

Yesterday was Halloween. Despite being a day of celebration, the many of us returned to the unit as though it was like any other. It wasn’t entirely normal though, for our kids were dressed in costumes. I got to work with a big Cookie Monster and a howling brown lion. My bigger child even surprised me. He was known to discriminate between people and particularly dislike therapist of a different race. But, as soon as I greeted him, he waved back with positive affect. Even MeaganP applauded at this phenomenon; of course we have no explanation for this, except to laugh at it.

After lunch, the kids were brought to a Trick-or-Treating session around the building. A very interesting event, I’d say but the kids were disagreeing with me on that notion. At least my little lion was clearly upset, crying his way while following the crowd along. He didn’t like being confined in one spot for more than a minute, so it set him off on a floppy dropping frenzy. The rest of us therapist have to stick through with it. Hoping that we’d make it back to the unit in one piece.

Alas, coming back home I was invited out for a Chipotle’s Boorito dinner that I came to pass. Tired from the ordeal, I wanted nothing more than to kick back, relax and watch Natsu beat the crap outta Master Hades. 

Dattebayo!
Vonnie S.