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.