It's the last day of the year. A fairly decent year I think. To tell the truth, I cannot really remember the first half. I think I might need to read some of my earlier posts.

I am surprised to find that I didn't make any resolutions last year. I think it could be likely because I had not accomplished those that I had set out in the previous year. So, I'll just copy those resolutions here,

1) run my first half marathon (NOT DONE!)

It's not that I'm lazy to run a half marathon. I just didn't find much time to train, so ended up doing my normal 5km routine runs only. I also had some gaps in between, espcially during exams. I'm back to running but this one is still something I need to put more effort towards.

2) never ever be complacent (A BIT!)

I think I'm somehow meant to work hard if I want to succeed in life. For a long time, I took things for granted, was too confident and too proud. I think there is some difference now. But, I'll still need to do more this coming year.

3) strengthen my relationship with God (YES!)

I think most people won't really see me as someone who is pious, given my general external persona. Given the fact that most of my friends practice a faith different from mine, I just prefer to keep my own practices private. In any case, I am not fit to preach to anybody so I would rather work on improving myself. I'm quite happy that I'm going to temple more often and I'm chanting the Lord's name everyday now. I'm reading books as well, so it's very fulfilling.

4) become a semi-vegetarian (HMMM!)

This is quite related to the previous resolution because you need to be meat-free to really get to the right state of mind. But, I think I want to be a vegetarian also because its the right thing to do. Most people are aware of the atrocities that animals are put through but choose to turn a blind eye. I think that is a very selfish frame of mind but sadly, many people do not feel anything. And just to be clear, I don't necessarily like animals. I just think it's cruel. So anyway, I was able to stay off meet whenever I had school or when I cooked my own food. The trouble is only when my mum or my aunt cooks. My words fall on deaf ears and I end up just eating because I don't want to make it a big issue. That is also why I keep wanting to buy my own house.

5) work out my other relationships (YES?)

Okay just to be clear, there are no boys involved. My guy friends are amazing because they don't give me anything to worry about. I feel I have to think less when I'm talking to them. And yes, I'm still un-surprisingly boyfriendless. It's more with my girlfriends that I thought I should reconnect. Just to remind everybody, this was two years ago, so I think I'm okay with everyone now. It took some time to realise that my friends have other friends and even boyfriends now, so they won't really have a lot of time for me. I re-defined my relationships with my friends - some became closer while others seemed just like a patch-up. In any case, I try to put in more effort now. But friends are always tricky. As for my family, it's more like a sine curve. Now, it's relatively fine and I hope it stays this way.


I think I'm not going to make more resolutions this year but simply work on the above. I'm glad to end the year on a high. I'm not worried about anything much and I've got the best grades this sem than I ever have in my entire uni life. I've booked my 2 grad trip tickets. I even have a job offer. So, I'm very blessed.

AVATAR IS THE BEST MOVIE OF THE DECADE!

Initially, I was skeptical because those odd-shaped blue creatures didn't look too pleasing to the eye. And one could easily pass it off some sci-fi crap, in the likes of Star Trek. But this was beyond anything I imagined. James Cameron is such a genius! The story was told with such emotions and magnificence that you could easily get lost in the world of Pandora. You feel so connected with the Na'vi people that you want to become one of them. It's a really good film especially at this point of time. You are immersed in so much corporatism and materialism that you sometimes forget to appreciate that nature provides and she will always work to preserve the balance. I watched it in 3D and again, it was not the usual gimmicky image-popping kind of effects but more subtle and real. The 3D effect makes you experience Pandora for yourself. It's the dream.

I have to absolutely blog about this.

Okay, my job interviews are tomorrow and we are supposed to bring transcripts. So, I went online to request the transcripts and asked them to be mailed. I thought there would be enough time for me to get the mail. But I recalled at 4am today that I hadn't received it, so I woke up at 8.30 to give a call to Office of Academic Services. The woman took about 2 minutes to pick up my call and said hi in the most uncaring tone. She did not even bother to say who she was or whether it was OAS that I was speaking to at all. I mean, it's just basic professionalism right? I told her that I hadn't received my transcripts and she checked her system and told me that they had already mailed it on 25th Nov. I had checked my mail (my mom puts mine on my table) and didn't find it there. I told the woman that I didn't receive it and she bluntly replied, "We posted it on the 25th. If it gets lost in mail, we are not liable." I was totally dumbfounded. Come on, not even a little bit of tact? I was really angry but since I had to suck it up in order to get my transcripts. I asked her if it is possible for me to come to school now and get my transcript printed on the same day since the interview was tomorrow and there was no way I could wait for 5 working days. She told me to come today and make payment in cash and told me to come back tomorrow afternoon to collect it. She said she was making an exception even though it would be really dumb since my interview would be over by then. It's one piece of paper that I could possibly print in my own home. How long would it really take? Is NTU even concerned about whether its students get a job? Is this how you help someone who is pleading for their transcript and all you care about is your rules? No, transcripts are not even signed by anyone! It's just a freaking printer you need! You tell me, you need a day for that? This is a shame! NTU, i'm so disappointed to have studied here!

I'm finally 21 now. The first thing I told myself I'll stop doing is to swear. Next, to revive my English. I'm not sure how to do it since it may bring some social awkwardness. But before that, I owe a big thanks to my family for the simple celebration with the cake being just what I love. Fresh cream- a lot, a lot of cream! And to my friends for their wishes and presents!

The Singtel woman finally called regarding my HTC Hero. YES! It'll be delivered to my doorstep next Tuesday. After 306 paper that day, I saw sheng who asked me if I wanted to go HK with him and his friend. I didn't even think and said yes. It's with free accomodation at sheng's aunt's place, so it's pretty worthit. But it's only next year in July. Yvonne should be coming with me! Hope that works out fine.

There are some things I wish I could tell people. Certain someone in particular. It could turn out pretty awkward and I cannot really tell wat I could get from it all. It's just this feeling that you wish you could feel more often. In any case, it was like a mini birthday present.=)