bbrrr it's getting cold. these few days have been hovering at around 10-20 degrees celsius. the cold wind blows full force. it's nice to an extent, seeing the dried leaves swirl around, hair flying around, sleeves of clothes flapping against the strong wind.

after months of being a captive of apartment 1214 and recently utsc, i finally found my way downtown. i was glad to be walking around town with my long-sleeved shirt and sweater, with my brother and friend, and many other people. went to parts of downtown i haven't been before, like the bloor stretch of high-class boutiques. instead of taking the subway to our dining venue, we walked a long distance of 4 subway stations north and 4 stations west. no sweat. the thing is, if i were to walk the same distance in singapore, i would be sure to have kicked up a ruckus. but not here with the coolness.

had sushi buffet at the same place we usually do, which ended in us being so full that we could feel the puke rising up our throats. no exaggeration here.. weirdly, we went for dessert at greg's ice-cream with the temperature at 14 degrees celsius! i was sick-full, so i skipped the tempting ice-cream. but it's madness to be sitting at the roadside with the cold creeping to us as cold ice-cream was actually consumed.

i love such nights. just doing something simple and enjoyable.

oh and i got news of karthi coming to toronto next week. i desperately need to see a familiar face. he will be staying here for around 2-3 days before he heads to oklahoma, usa, to see chuanyao. cool.

i practically threw CA$7.00 down the garbage bin today. i was craving for pad thai (still am!) so i bought it at utsc's cafeteria. it tasted so horrible, that after only a mouthful i had to stop. that could have bought me 2 McSpicy Double meals in singapore. damn! that stall has lost a customer in me.

i have to stress, i am NO food-waster!

lost returned with a bang. the new episode of season 2 aired on wednesday and i finally watched it today. now there's even more mysteries than ever. gah, will they ever get out of the island alive?

a new episode of desperate housewives was on just now. i contemplated on watching it straight from the tv or not, but decided i couldn't wait. new neighbours, new mysteries. the housewives crack up my night/life.

I LOVE BOTH SHOWS!

with a dose of drama, comedy and reality from tv every week, i have a little way too much entertainment.. but no complaints!

unlike draggy last week, the second week of school went by faster than i thought it would. and tada, it's the weekends!

back in my lower secondary school days, i used to apply hair gel to my hair. and as i matured, i started hating gel as it gives off this very shiny/oily kind of appearance. besides if it gets wet, the gel will just wash off and you will feel all sticky on your forehead and face. eeeww.. so i switched to gatsby hair wax. love it. it's dry, easy to apply, doesn't dilute like hair gel, and best of all it gives a very sort-of natural, out-of-bed, messy style.

the thing is, japanese-brand gatsby isn't available in any western shopping places. shops that sell japanese items like skin and hair products, snacks, etc etc, charge exorbitant prices for them. perhaps it's the shipping, exchange rate, blah blah.. but now, disaster struck. i just used up the 3 bottles of supply i brought over from singapore. so i desperately searched for substitutes and bought a loreal and garnier fructis wax.

i started using the loreal wax yesterday and it gave this VERY shiny look. and it's like a gel, though hard in appearance, once applied to the hair and water comes in contact, it dilutes and makes my palm all sticky. aahh! i hurriedly checked both labels and loreal printed 'TEXTURISING EFFECT - HIGH SHINE', garnier fructis printed 'SHINE AND DEFINE'..

SH*T. can my hair disaster get any worst?

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.
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YES. i just came home from a haircut, and.. now i rather have haircuts at chinese/indian barbers. they know how to cut out a hairstyle to suit your face without having to tell them what you want, unlike most western hairdressers. the front is way shorter than the top, making me look like a weirdo. and my sideburns are cut till different levels, which the sides of my spectacles cuts across the sideburns making the difference even more noticeable.

so what can i do but rough it out. hair grows, wax finishes. eventually...

autumn officially starts today at 6.23pm, which is like right NOW!

biology practical today was kind of fun. got to know some people sitting around me. the experiments with the microscopes were irritating. i think i screwed up some parts of the experiments with the many drawings and recordings. surprise surprise.. i was one of the last to leave. boo! but overall it was much better than chemistry's..

america's next top model 5 just ended. another boo! my favourite ashley is the first to go. wtf. her photoshoot was kind of okay, and i have to reinforce that everytime i see her, i see YOANNA HOUSE (antm 2's winner). so now i'm left with kyle as my new favourite, and erm jayla and maybe nicole. head to the website to see more.

so yea. BLAH!

'Density = Mass/Volume'
thus, 'Volume = Mass/Density'

there was this calculation part in chemistry lab just now, and i foolishly wrote 'Volume = Mass x Density'. arrrgghh! though it would only cost me a mark or two, i still cannot get over it. mainly because i had extra time, and also because that's like a basic knowledge which mdm tong would definitely frown upon. me and my careless mistakes!

after all the procrastination, something positive. i'm so grateful to mdm tong. she inspired and instilled such good values and chemistry knowledge in me. titration just now was easy-peasy, all thanks to the training from mdm tong. all the emphasis on accuracy, efficiency and order.

i miss practical sessions in amkss with mdm tong!

the winners have been announced and the awards are out..

OMG! felicity huffman beat out the other desperate housewives, teri hatcher and marcia cross who were the favourite picks, to win 'outstanding lead actress, comedy series'. the housewives looked stunning, especially marcia cross with her long red locks.

YEA! lost won 'outstanding drama series'. almost the whole main cast were on stage with crew to receive the emmy award. evangeline lily was ravishing..

BOO! desperate housewives lost out to everybody loves raymond in 'outstanding comedy series'. the latter finished it's 9th and final season, so next year it will be desperate housewives turn. or maybe will & grace, as it wraps up its final season by next year's emmys.

after 3 hours of tv watching the award show, it's off to bed now..

september is here and so are new seasons of reality-tv. yeah! i have to manage my time really well now in order to fit in my routine of studying, doing homework, watching tv, taking rests, etc.. i will find a way.

but first, survivor: guatemala premiered this thursday! my god, it's more physical and tough than previous survivor versions. and guess what? stephenie and bobby jon of survivor: palau are back! they will play the game like other survivors, but sure there will be more expectations from them since they had the 'earlier experience of survival'. the 2 tribes are yaxha and nakum. i'm rooting for yaxha as stephenie is in that tribe.. nakum lost the first immunity challenge and one has been voted off already.

then, i can't wait for next wednesday as america's next top model 5 premieres!. i've picked my favourites.. ashley and kyle. ashley kinds of remind me of cycle 2's winner yoanna, with her strong features and cheekbone.

next week, the apprentice (donald trump's and martha stewart's versions) starts too. the following week will be the amazing race 8! families of four racing around the world, how interesting will that be?

blah, better go study now. what a mugger i MUST become.
where's my life???

i survived the first week of university!

this week hasn't really been tough, but compared to high school, it definitely requires more focus and determination. i already have homework and self-studying for the lectures-to-come to do over the weekends. plus my labs/tutorials start next week, so there are like pre-lab assignments, etc.

why so stressed up? because BGYA01 lecture today, they showed us this video clip. it sort of scared me a little as the importance of studying in advance was emphasised over and over again by previous first year-students so as to not fall behind. i watch alot of tv, spend alot of time on the WWW, and slack alot. so.. i don't really fall under the hardworking category.

the past few days isn't really worth mentioning; just the school routine. my stomach growls midway through lectures as i don't really have breakfast. so i'm making a point to have my breakfast now. oh, and i'm a member of the 'association of biology and chemistry students' (ABCS). membership came at a discount with the lab coat and goggles. might as well join a club..

about social life in utsc, i decided not to really get best friends as it doesn't work like this in university. everyone has their on timetable; different courses, lectures, tutorials, labs. and even if you get some courses alike, you won't be guranteed sitting next-to-next in the lecture hall. a scan through 500 people won't find you your BFF. so acquaintances will be the proper term.

i think that should be about all. time for Studious Me to shine. (:

i cannot help but blog as i'm in a good mood. my little sickness bug crawled away overnight, and classes were enjoyable. but i still feel tired.
went to school early with my brother and found out that the locker isn't at such a bad spot. it's close to the stairs and not totally out of the way. so yesterday's problem was practically for nothing. had 1/2 of a cheese bagel from tim horton's (coffeebean, starbucks. get it?) for breakfast, then headed for the day's first lecture.

geography was held at AA112, which is the new Arts & Administrative building. you could still smell the scent of wood and fresh paint. and the lecture hall is so stylish. broad and bright. the 2-hours lecture was reduced to around 1-hour as it was used for introduction. so i sat at a spot for 3 hours for my next class. ate the remaining 1/2 of the stale bagel as i read a novel.

biology was held at AC223 again. most of the major courses' lectures are held there as it's one of the biggest lecture hall in utsc. as usual packed till others had to find the stairs comfortable for an hour. this professor has got to be one of my favourite so far. she talks clearly and at a reasonable pace, and isn't over repetitive. had a short talk on the first chapter. went through slides so the lights were turned off. it was very cosy, like being in a cinema.

i realised i haven't mentioned the courses i'm taking. so this is it for Fall 2005..
BGYA01H3 (biology I)
CHMA10H3 (chemistry I)
GGRA02H3 (geography- globalization)
PSYA01H3 (psychology I)
STAB22H3 (statistics I)

which means in these first 2 days of school i have roughly went through the main lectures. and so the next lectures would be teaching/studying time. tutorials and labs will be in the weeks to come. i'm bracing myself for the busiest i can be. i just hope i won't fall behind the class.

I AM SO FREAKING TIRED!
first day of school was a bad whirlwind. there were so many people everywhere, and now i'm having a headache. long story, so i will try to write what i can here.

the bus that i took to utsc was packed like a can of sardines. everytime the bus made a right or left, i had to struggle to keepy my balance. my back and feet had a 'good' morning exercise.

found the lecture hall (AC223) for psychology. it was big, but still packed. some ended up sitting on the carpeted steps. it was mainly introduction, admin etc. the professor was interesting. i suppose i would be enjoying psychology.
statistics was next, and this time it was a smaller lecture room (HW216). i ended up sitting on the hard steps for one whole hour. my butt 'enjoyed' it very much. the professor is from india and talked with the fast indian accent, which was hard to catch at first. we started some review work.
had lunch with my brother in the cafeteria, then went for my chemistry lecture at AC223 too. as usual introduction stuffs. there's two female professors for chemistry, both whom are fine.


statistics lecture room. the reflection can roughly tell how big it is.


AC223 where i had psychology and chemistry. this was taken during chemistry.

my day was supposed to end at 1pm after chemistry lecture, but i had to buy my biology book. then, under the request of my brother, i had to line up for a locker at the Scarborough Campus Students' Union (SCSU) office. i waited for 2 full hours before i could actually get my hands on a locker (which to mine and my brother's displeasure wasn't the convenient one, so i'm pissed).


the LONG line. i stood with my heavy bag, ending with me sitting on the ground. my feet is sore, and my shoulder is drooping.


while sitting, i took the ceiling of the Student Centre where the SCSU office was located. it got an award for it's unique architecture. it's cool, no doubt.

i got the heck out of utsc soon after, and arrived home at 5pm. i could've been home by 3pm if not for.. and now i'm in a super bad mood, with the feeling that the sick bug is coming for me. blah, here's some other snapshots:


a hallway with lockers lined at the sides.


part of the new Art & Administrative building.


part of the Student Centre.


entrance sign to the Student Centre.

there are more buildings, like the Science Wing (SW), Humanities Wing (HW), and Bladen Wing (BW). i was too lazy and tired to walk around to snap shots of them. so, i need to get some rest and sort out the coming crazy schedule and workload. guess i won't be seen blogging anytime soon.

welcome to lectures, tutorials and a whole bunch of grown-up student stuffs. welcome to university.
boo. where is the love?

time to say goodbye to my dear summer holidays. 2 months have passed and school is starting tomorrow. my first class starts at 9am! which means i will have to wake up two hours beforehand. i've been waking up at 12pm during my holidays, so it totally sucks.

i'm kind of excited/nervous for tomorrow. i was told not to be scared, but who isn't afraid on the first day of school? there's always the anticipation and fear of what's to come, either good or bad. at least i won't be such a lazybum.

i will try to get some snapshots of my first day at utsc. wish me luck!

tada! presenting the new layout - 'the lark'.
with the help of adobe photoshop. and blogger comments is being tried out, though the tagboard will be around for random chats. so comment on the post's contents or tag what you have in mind for me.

in remembrance of 9/11..
4 years back, countless lives were lost with the attacks on NYC's world trade center. with deep emotions, we commemorate the day when darkness striked. while remembering the past, we live on strong. god bless us all.

gosh i really have to start sleeping early since classes officially starts next monday. i definitely won't want to have dark eye-rings and be all restless through lectures and tutorials.

i was looking through one of my scrapbooks that i kept just now. inside it were notes made before and during my trip to china on the xiamen exchange program (XEP) with the hifive youth. and there was the daily journal entries in order to remind myself of the journey. the trip is special as it is the only trip that i went with friends, not family. okay, it's the second (in secondary 2, i went on a geography excursion to malaysia on bus), but first for having to take a plane.

to think it has been more than a year since XEP. gah i miss hifive and the volunteer work that we do. and now i feel bad because i haven't been participating or helping out. everytime i receive an email about hifive activities, like art tapestry 2005, and now being-discussed OBS camp, i'm reminded of the inactive status i am in.

well, to the other hifivers, take care and kudos for the work volunteered!


high-five youth

before i head off to watch the final 3 episodes of lost, this little piece of info is for those interested.

i found the music of the shopgirl trailer. there's two of them. the first one at the start of the trailer is by the notwist, consequences. the second one at the trailer's ending is death cab for cutie's the sound of settling.

have a nice day! (:

last night i ran out of things to do. so i opened an explorer browser and started surfing the web for random stuffs. somehow, i came to this clair danes website.
for those who don't know who clair danes is, she's an awesome actress; her most prominent role is probably as juliet capulet in romeo + juliet with leonardo dicaprio.

well there's a new movie starring claire danes. shopgirl premiers at the toronto film festival this week; hits theatres here october 21. watch the trailer:


shopgirl
clair danes was also in little women, one of my all-time favourite movies and novels, with winona ryder and kirsten dunst. me, my brother and sister used to repeatedly watch the show over and over again. i always cry at the part where beth march (clair danes) dies. yes, i know i'm a crybaby.

she also starred in 2004's stage beauty. i remember watching it on my flight to toronto at the start of this year. so it holds some kind of special memory as i remember watching it at night on the plane when most people were asleep. and yes, i'm a late-night person.


stage beauty
oh yes, i love the music in the shopgirl trailer. but i just don't seem to be able to find out what it is yet.

OMG. i cringed and cried watching episode 20, do no harm, of lost. what has the show done to me???

this says much about me being a total lost fanatic. in just a few more episodes i'll uncover season 1 of lost. back to another episode. (:

"Suddenly I See" - KT Tunstall

Her face is a map of the world
Is a map of the world
You can see she's a beautiful girl
She's a beautiful girl
And everything around her is a silver pool of light
The people who surround her feel the benefit of it
It makes you calm
She holds you captivated in her palm

Suddenly I see
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see
Why the hell it means so much to me
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see
Why the hell it means so much to me

I feel like walking the world
Like walking the world
You can hear she's a beautiful girl
She's a beautiful girl
She fills up every corner
Like she's born in black and white
Makes you feel warmer when you're
Trying to remember what you heard
She likes to leave you hanging on a wire

Suddenly I see
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see
Why the hell it means so much to me
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see
Why the hell it means so much to me

And she's taller than most
And she's looking at me
I can see her eyes looking from a page in a magazine
She makes me feel like I could be a tower
A big strong tower
She got the power to be
The power to give, the power to see

She got the power to be
The power to give, the power to see
She got the power to be
The power to give, the power to see
She got the power to be
The power to give, the power to see
She got the power to be
The power to give, the power to see

Suddenly I see
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see
Why the hell it means so much to me
This is what I wanna be
Suddenly I see
Why the hell it means so much to me

Suddenly I see
Why the hell it means so much to me
Suddenly I see
Why the hell it means so much to me

got this lovely postcard from pamy! uniquely singapore.

the ice kachang is making me drool! damn you children! just eat your dessert and stop laughing at me. at the top row of pictures, there's clarke quay and foods like assam fish and curry prawns. aaawww.. well, thank you pamy!

a colourful, refreshing and delightful mix.
everything comes together in eclectic singapore.

change is in the works. hooray!
check it out on september 11.

in commemoration of 9/11 and the arrival of my university life on september 12. bless the world.

on the bus to sherbourne today, i took pleasure in observing two different human interactions that took place in the bus. i tried hard not to show my kaypo-ness.

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#1: the indian man & the not-so indian girl

apparently, two of them do not know each other. the man, seemingly from delhi, india, self-introduced himself to the indian girl sitting nearby. the girl may or may not be a local canadian.

they chatted a while, with the man striking most of the conversations. then, the man gave his contact number to the girl so that they can meet in the future and asked the girl to give him a buzz on the spot, so that he can store her contact too. the girl reluctantly called but there wasn't any ring from the man's phone. after a few attempts, the girl assured she had his number. the conversation stopped as the girl fiddled with her phone and chatted with her friend on the line. thus escaping the maybe torturing talk. when alighting stops before the man, she gave him a forced smile.

i have a few theories. 1) the girl NEVER did store his number; 2) the girl NEVER did press the green button to initiate the call. trust me, the girl will NEVER contact the man. unless fate brings her-to-him/him-to-her again.. that will be plain unlucky.

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#2: the long-winded lady & the uninterested boy

this fast-talker lady was sitting on my left, and the boy was on her left. the boy is most probably new in toronto from hongkong. they were heading to his new school (today was the start of a new school year). on the way, the lady spoke continuously in cantonese to the boy, who was not paying any attention to her. the one-woman conversation with periodic short replies was about:

1) how the boy gets to school; take one straight bus, identify roads, and recognise buildings on the way
2) what the boy must do once he reaches school; put his stuffs in the locker and take out the day's items, head to the library to STUDY (give him a break!), interact with people (this is much better!), and DISCUSS with friends schoolwork (give him more breaks!), and not to sleep in classes (stop nagging and he will be awake)
3) and of course constant "are-you-listening?"s, "do-you-understand?"s and "look-at-me"s (the boy was looking down and away from his mother/aunt/guardian's face)

they alighted at a public school where groups of students (WITHOUT parents) were hanging out outside. looks like a day of further embarrassment kiddo.

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i know i'm nosey. but i still love sitting in the bus, watching for reactions and expressions.