I just realised its hard to find proper cedar shoe trees. You know, to keep your shoes somewhat in shape. Gah.

On a brighter note, I've finished my math assignment, after much searching around on the Net to find additional notes to explain the problem.

I want to SCREAM!

You know, there are times when you just want to scream from pure frustration. This goddamn math assignment ain't making sense!!!

Aside from that, life in general is sweet as usual. I guess. I've recruited my peer group to play 500 with me when they're free, making time pass 3x faster.

I got called a girl by Danny last night, somewhat. It sorta went like this.

Me: Oh Malc, I'm going shopping with Alastair tomorrow.
Malc: Oh, you are? That's good.
Danny: You know, Gabe, you're a bit of a girl sometimes.
Me: What did you say?!

I dunno, I guess if me liking to go shopping makes me sorta girly, then whatever. So what if I have an obsession for clothes more so than most students my age? Meh.

Alex, this chick who used to be in Auckland before she got a scholarship to study Engineering Science and NUS, Singapore, came back for her summer break. My, but it kinda takes a little while before you see everyone crowding around her. And when she dishes out insults and put-downs like she's prone to do, then only do you realise that she's been gone so long. Odd huh? I had a little aside bitch session with her about math as well. She started ranting about how they unloaded surface integrals on her in her first semester (which she claims she has no idea about how they are used even though she got A+) and I was ranting about my partial differential equations.

In a way, I dunno. I sorta wanna go for a holiday and visit everyone in Kuching / Singapore / wherever. Just get away from here, see everyone, go clubbing together. You know, have fun, forget the rest, the night is young, that sorta thing. Anything has got to be better than being stuck at campus falling asleep while learning ANCOVA regression and boring stuff I already knew in Biology.

Speaking of Biology, I'm thinking the current topic about skeletal muscle would be very easy for anyone who goes to gym regularly. It all makes sense, somehow. Like how your muscles get bigger because you tear them. Any gym-goer appreciates that, so I reckon they'd ace this section. Haha. I was amused when they said muscles can elongate, making you taller (in some cases). Yes, I used this to tease Faisal (the resident midget, uhm, I mean short guy) to no end, telling him if he worked out on getting his muscles longer he'd grow taller =P

Yes, I can be immensely evil at times. Well, this wasn't even evil, so why am I convincing you? I should get back to my assignment anyway. Stop procrastinating Gabe.

The last two weeks have been busy busy busy. Well, not really to do with assignments, but just because my dad came over for two weeks. So I've been like out the whole time. Insane huh? I swear that was enough to be sleep deprived.

I even went shopping with my dad, which was sorta fun. Got him a sweater, which he copied my colour for. Sigh, I should have so gotten the brown one, but oh well.

My sis graduated last Friday. Nothing really important of note, except that I got to dress up a little that day I suppose. But OH MY GOD, the convocation ceremony was like so boring. I yawned so many times and almost fell asleep halfway through the whole thing. I shudder to think of what Engineering's convocation would be like with at least 600 students if Health and Medical Sciences had only half that (fine, maybe 400). I guess thats something to look forward to in uh, 3 years? Boy oh boy am I gonna have fun...

Apart from that, life's pretty jazzy. Nothing much really happening these days I suppose. Exams in 4 weeks, which is getting me a little freaked since I hardly understand some of the math I'm doing this semester. Should probably start revising soon, but who really does that at this time?

I gave my dad one of my favourite fragrances, Giorgio Armani's Acqua Di Gio. I guess since he's probably gonna start wearing that more often, I'd switch away to another one as my mainstay fragrance. Hmm, maybe Fahrenheit 32 or Molecule 02. They sound intriguing. I never understand why people have only one fragrance anyway. To me, the more the merrier.

Hm, I forgot to go to Tessa's party. Whoops... Oh well. Whoops.

I think I read into people's behaviours a little too much. Kinda random to say it huh? Yeah well, its not that random since I sorta did that to Malcolm when I was hanging out with him and his groupie, namely Hannah and Kieran. Hannah being Malcolm's crush, or unofficial girlfriend I think. I guess it wasn't a biggie, but oh well, he did seem a tad hostile at the time, which when I mentioned to him off-handedly sometime later he denied, saying he was pressured. Makes sense after all, since he did have a test, but I got him completely worked up about it too. Which made me feel kinda guilty.

Damn. Crazy me. On a really random note, I believe I might be improving at Gin. You know, that card game. And my playing technique at 500 has probably improved through absorbing all that skill from watching Jack and his lot play. Haha.

Have you ever heard the "mathdebate" joke? Its one terrible joke, but oh my, it was completely hilarious in context when Jack was using it on Daniel and Martin. Especially considering they start debates on mathematics.

Egads, a CV?

Its Anzac Day today, which means I don't have lectures. Joy! On the other hand, gym is closed, so... oh well.

I've just noticed that I only seem to post once every Friday these days... I should probably do something about that, maybe when I get some time to myself at home though. Career's Day for Engineering was on Tuesday and Wednesday... and I got me heaps of freebies. Haha, like a free first-aid kit from Hatch, or random as torchlights, and even a Post-It pen. Awesome huh?

I got my results for the Bio test too, and I got... 87%. Must say I'm really happy with my marks, although I'm, as usual, a little disappointed I didn't do as well as I intended. (I know, I'm like really insanely competitive at times). But hey, who ever said I would be completely happy with being beaten by about 5-10% of the class anyway?

I've really got to start applying to the engineering firms for a summer internship job... I'm sooo clueless on how to write a CV though. I don't even know what goes in one either! *panics* Anyone wanna help?

Tagged... by Sandra

1. What was your dream during childhood?

Uhm, this sounds kinda weird. But I used to dream about having an identical twin brother. So we can hatch devious plans together. Even though it was sorta inconsistent since my twin had green eyes... Odd huh? It really does sound silly...


2. Do you like sunny or rainy days? Why?

Sunny, mainly because I don't like rainy days (those depress me heaps). Also since its fun. I prefer cloudy days more though.


3. Which color do you like better? Black/white?

Black. It goes well on everyone. Like a black tux with a black bow tie, and black lace-ups. Wow. No black shirt though. Black overcoat, and black pants also.


4. Who would you marry?

Someone I love. Anyone I want to be with for a while. At least for a few years. And who isn't opposed to a prenup, just in case.


5. Where do you want to go most? Why?

Hmm, the most... maybe... right now... the States. Why? So I can have an epic road trip with my mates.


6. Which part of yourself do you love most?

The one which likes to think about the subtle nuances in everything. Which, incidentally, is the part which also picks up on people's fashion tastes. And Crocs are still a crime.


7. When you encounter a sad moment, what do you do?

Uhm, maybe one of the following:

Go drinking with mates, hang out with mates, mope around for a little while.


8. What are you afraid of losing the most?

I'd say friends, but thats not really it. I guess its just company and the joy it brings.


9. If you met someone you loved, would you confess? Or just keep it a secret, observing?

There's never a clear answer to this kind of situation...


10. List out 3 good points of the person who tagged you.

Sandra:

She writes nice blog posts which I enjoy reading.

She has good taste in cafe food and alcohol, which I respect.

She's very eloquent in expressing her thoughts (or pondering moments I guess)


11. What are the requirements you wish for the other half?

Good looking enough (the basic requirement imposed, ya know? I'm not that shallow), must be cuddle-able, and accepts whatever small differences we may have.


12. Up to now, what are the moments you regret the most?

The most? Uhm. I'd rather not say.


13. Which type of person do you hate the most?

Currently, the one who thinks they know everything, and acts like a pompous arrogant ass. Bonus hate points if they are wearing Crocs.


14. What is your ambition?

My ambition is rather ambitious I think, and impossible given current technological advances. Not to mention entirely unethical (or some people say it is). To advance genetic engineering to the extent that human development potential can be maximised.


15. Would you rather be someone else at this moment?

Right now, at this moment? Hmm, depends on whether its temporary or permanent. Permanent, not really. Temporary? Lots. Its kinda fun to go body-hopping, I would think.


16. If you can have 2 dreams to come true, what will it be?

To be happy and successful. To settle with someone in bliss and peace. Cheesy eh?


17. What do you think is most important in your life?

Finding meaning and fulfillment in life, even from my job.


18. Who’s your favorite cartoon character?

Uhm... cartoons cartoons... Bart Simpson? Can I say my favorite character from a drama instead? I'll say Denny Krane from Boston Legal.


19. What will you do if the world ends tomorrow?

If it ended tomorrow? I'd find everyone I know and have a party, "for tomorrow we die". And try and settle petty disputes with people I know aren't too bad deep down (or at least to my point of tolerance)


20. The most worthwhile decision you’ve made in your life so far?
    Hm. I guess in a way, although this sounds sad, choosing not to return to Malaysia for my education. In a way, I never was happy there. Here, I feel free. Not politically free, just free.
    

And I don't tag anyone. But if you feel obliged to make one, do so anyway. I think people could benefit from sharing some things about themselves.

Just today...

My holidays are like, over already, and I still haven't finished my assignments. Well, in my defense, I've been doing them at an abysmal rate, and mostly taking the time to sleep in and go to gym, so I don't think I was making good progress anyway. At least I managed to compile the appendices for my reports, so all that's left is to write it out, which hopefully should be done in a day.

I saw some guy who reminded me of this Canadian dude I met, Cody, at Rotorua this morning cycling down Symonds while I was on the bus... Odd huh, how you suddenly remember some people randomly. I wonder how he's doing anyway, like if he's gone back to Canada or something already... I remember him saying he and Ryan were going to Australia. Anyway, he was one cool dude. I suppose life's full of random little meetings like this, ah?

Alive...barely

Hell, that was one blip of two weeks gone by. I've been so busy doing study for my test, and all the assignments. Gah, but that was quite a bit of work.

Haha, at least I've got a one week break, and 36% of my Biology course is accounted for. Although, on the downside, I've got another lab report and a Stats Assignment to complete. Oh well.

On a random aside, I can't believe I'm so unobservant at times. I've already had two Biology labs prior to my last on Wednesday, but that Wednesday, I managed to get to my lab earlier than usual, which meant quite early after all. So sitting down, I kinda looked at the people coming in... and WOW! One of the hottest chicks that I noticed in Bio came in.

Perhaps I was tired, or perhaps it was because I liked the particular coat she was wearing (I've always thought girls wearing that were pretty, and no, it wasn't a lab coat). But I thought she was hot. I've got to find out who she is, if only Tessa and Rebecca (from Biomedical Engineering) weren't sitting in between her and me, it'd be easier for me to interact with her on the pretext of being very very slow with the microscope =P

Oh dear, I don't believe I just said that. Uhh. Yeah. Did I mention that the current batch on freshies coming into Engineering (in terms of girls) are getting prettier/hotter? Not entirely sure if its due to: a) more girls (and therefore a higher proportion of pretty ones) coming into engineering OR b) my standards dropping (which might be an alarming sign, since I'd shudder to think of what would happen in my 4th year)

I think I've picked up a new habit (well, an old habit, but new for the year): Cards. I've been watching Jack play 500, which I find to be a rather engaging game. Don't really want to play with them, since well... they're really good. I guess you could say that you only learn by playing, but I think I'll play with other people first. Jack also taught me Rummy Cup and Gin, so I've been playing that quite a bit too.

Hmm, I haven't been to Shadz in sometime, probably should go during the week back when classes start.

Damn, sleepy. I'll probably write more when I'm feeling less uh, insane? And more rested.

P/S: I do realise I just wrote an insane amount of crap. Sorry...

Progress

Stats Assignment: Complete
Math Assignment: 70% Complete
Management Assignment: 30% Complete
Computation Report: Complete
Management Study: 0% Complete
Biology Study: 5% Complete

Right... so that leaves me with heaps to go... at least I'm somewhat halfway there... Go Gabe go! Man, I'm dead beat. 36% test in 10 days!!! ARGH!!!

On the bright side, Mihailo's and Chris' 18th's are coming up this Monday and Saturday respectively... so... I figure... we can...

GO TO SHADZ!!! Yeah!!! Lol. 3 birthday shots each!

White Water Rafting Photos

I'm like looking through this 10 page collection of photos on dial-up speeds (broke my cap)... so I'm still trying to find those pictures... but when I find them, I'll upload them up... Props to anyone who can find me before I do in the links...

http://www.esc.auckland.ac.nz/social/fieldTrip/2008/html/index.html

Cheers.

P/S: I found some of myself, but I'm too sleepy... I could hardly recognise myself... Gosh I'm horrible, I had to recognise my mates to figure out I was on the boat... And I realised there were some shots of me looking down a lot since I had a spider or two crawling around me, making me look like I was sick or something, haha.

A big flirt?

Man, I'm pooped. Run FatBoy Run was quite an entertaining movie. And Mihailo and his brother accused me of "flirting" with the male barista at Gloria Jeans' after the movie. Jeez.... just because he was being friendly and I was chatting with him a little. If that constitutes flirting I'm sure I would have practically flirted with every single person I've met. Hmm, now that's a thought... What if I'm a big flirt? Oh boy...

I decided to deflect that anyway, with a "He was flirting with me first, so I was just flirting back". I mean, what else would you say to something like that? Suggestions are welcome.

Sigh, I can't believed I stretched some of my shirts out by mistake. Gonna have to buy some more... Gah, spending more money instead of saving it for my big winter splurge =X

Still got so many assignments to finish... 5 I think, and 2 tests to study for... Sigh. Workload starting to pile up. Where's Richie for motivation when you need him? Away on his Easter break at Napier... Oh well, can't hold it against him either.

P/S: I'm sure I'm not a big flirt... I can't be... No one's ever told me that, so I'm sure I'm not... Yeah, I ain't... Besides, some of my mates are bigger flirts than me anyway, if I could be considered one. To anyone reading, how big a flirt are you? Come on, 'fess up.

I'm flattered

Iain said this about me: "You're like a drunk cloud, everyone around you just gets more and more drunk", in reference to us going clubbing at Rotorua on Thursday night.

Fun times indeed. I didn't know I was such a drunk cloud. Haha.

Rotorua Field Trip

Got back yesterday from my field trip. It was... fun! What else would you expect from going on a 3 day field trip in the Engineering Faculty with 4 lecturers who are relatively young? Needless to say, heaps of drinking was involved, all of it free because Engineering pays for all 70 of us (Engineering Science and Biomedical Engineering).

Lots of tourists in Rotorua, I met several Canadians here on their OE and went clubbing with them. Even our lecturers went clubbing. Fun times, except for the next morning when we had to go to Contact Energy for a tour of the facilities. Let's just say with 3 hours of sleep and a mild headache, all you want to be doing is just sleep. Until of course we went to a hangi (a Maori traditional way of cooking involving an underground oven). Our hangi was slightly different since we were at a geothermally active spot, so they used steam. Still good though, since it woke me up with all that meat and food. Nothing better than having lots and lots of meat.

I wish I took photos, but I didn't have a camera on me. Oh well, maybe I'll find photos from the people who took 'em and upload them up.

Which reminds me, white water rafting is AWESOME! I've never had more fun in my life before. Seriously, and even if the boat flips, who cares! No one in my group fell out of the boat though, and it didn't flip... Damn... But I wanna do it again! I can't believe the other group would go for the luge instead of this.

Now I have assignments and lots of lectures to keep up with. Sigh, I hate life sometimes.

Amnesia

Alright, I officially am confused as to whether I was "awake" and being soooo wasted like Sam claimed I was last night/this morning. I remember going to sleep at about 1... but well yeah, let's just say I was told that I was still awake and crazy. Don't remember any of it too. Shit.

Not like I haven't drunk this much before, but I've never had memory loss. Oh no! What's happening to me?! Well, at least nothing awkward happened, or at least I'm not aware of it, since I didn't wake up in any awkward positions, so it must be all good ah? Lol...

And Danny has got like a crush on Arnold's neighbor, haha. This will be fun to watch. Sigh, if only I had a higher alcohol tolerance, or if I got waaaay more sleep on Friday night. So much for taking a nap and waking up at 4am instead.

Whew... The week is finally done. I'm so beat, like seriously. Trying to fit 3 hours of gym per week into my crazy schedule is insane because my classes are like all over the place, which makes for annoying times to catch up on lunch, etc, etc. Gah.

I don't know why, but the first week is really, really, slow in terms of lectures. BIOSCI 107 is boring boring boring. I mean, I'm pretty sure the lecturer can cover tissues at a way faster rate than what's he going at right now. And do we seriously have to learn how to ADD BITS?!?! After doing it last year I'm pretty sure we'd be familiar with it, but nooo... teach it all over again. Management isn't much better either, I finally fell asleep yesterday in the lectures.

But on the flip side, Shadows was pretty fun. I went on Tuesday and Thursday, and it was sufficiently packed and alcohol, as usual, is always relatively cheap, and the food is good. Awesome. I got myself one of those Orientation singlets, which I gave away, since I don't really like singlets all that much.

Good thing I've finished my assignments already, because... party at Arnold's tonight!!! Yeah!! Haha, I still need to get him his present. I completely forgot yesterday even though I was more or less free for the whole day. Heh... Silly me.

Speak of coincidences. First I meet Richie before going to gym, then after hanging around with him for a bit (he had some time to kill before the Auckland University Scholarship mentoring thing), I find out he's the mentor to... Dan. Lol.

Mother of all coincidences, that one. Funny how we all meet each other huh?

P/S: Campus is relatively emptier today. Odd...

here's one to try...

Ever had a Rusty Nail? Do try it, if you enjoy scotch whisky and old-fashioned classics. Although most pubs/bars do not actually know how to make this, so you may have to instruct them yourself (as I did). At any rate, its simple as:

1 double shot (2 oz.) scotch
1/4 double shot (0.5 oz.) Drambuie

Mix ingredients in an old fashion glass. Stir briefly. Add ice.

Yes. It really is that simple. And oh, try and use blended scotch, or vatted malt rather than single malt. Last tip, make sure you don't screw up the composition. The guy making my drink did a 1:1, and it was horrible.

P/S: I got my Accounting result back... A+!!! I'm thrilled, this definitely was a suprise =)

So... many... first years!!! ARGH!!!!

Accursed luck! I blame it all on those first years being on campus and trampling everything underfoot. I lost my ring, damnit. I'll have to go back tomorrow and check with the gym staff. Gah!

Speaking of which, there do be many first years wandering around today. The sheer numbers of them... it's horrible!!! All wandering about with no general purpose, and crowding the bookstore and ogling textbooks that cost $100 or so each. I mean, seriously... its not even orientation day yet. Come back tomorrow!

Idly sitting...

...but only because I just woke up to find out that there's no water for an hour or so. Yes. No water. Apparently some water pipe burst a little up the road, and now... I can't shower, brush my teeth, or flush the toilet. Sucks. Flushing the toilet ain't such a biggie, but you know, shower and brushing my teeth...

There's a exactly week of holidays left before lectures start again.... and I must say, I'm getting pretty darn impatient already. Its just sorta annoying waiting for lectures to begin, y'know? All this sitting around and idling isn't really fun after about 4 months of it.

I think summer's sorta coming to an end soon. Its starting to rain again, and this weekend was well... horrible in terms of weather. I've always hated the rain, and this time was no exception. It rained and rained and rained. Lantern festival yesterday got canceled, and even the Starlight Symphony got postponed till today.

Maybe I should head out to campus tomorrow and see what the first years are up to. It is their orientation after all... Then again, maybe not... From what I could remember of it, it was hugely disinteresting until the barbeque and then the pub... And everyone looked so lost, it was almost as if I was the only one who vaguely knew my way around. Argh. Yes, maybe I shouldn't go.

And... I don't know if you do read this Chris, but are ya gonna study in Singapore after all?

O.V.E....R

Yeah, my summer school days are officially over, and I've got... 10 days of holidays left. I reckon I did pretty decent in the exam, I mean, like not A+ decent, but probably between B+ and A decent. Which isn't too bad, since I reckon it indicates I learnt enough for it to be relevant without overlearning. Richie may disagree, but hey, everyone's entitled to their own opinion.

Yeah, Richie was freaking a little at first since it didn't go as well as he wanted, but he calmed down relatively quickly. He appears to have aged, although it could be just my memory playing tricks on me. I dunno, I reckon its just because at this age, we're all sorta aging slowly, so ya know...

Well anyway..... methinks I shall have something to drink to "celebrate". Hehe...

P/S: The lantern festival will be on this weekend. I wonder if I should go...