回来了
离开了一个多月，最后还是回来了。
我终于去了我一直想去的地方――布拉格、埃及……
要不是开学，我看我会在外面逍遥多几个星期才回来。
世界何其大，怎么看也看不完。
我想，我不介意旅行一辈子。
（有时间的话，会把一些照片放在这里，敬请留意。Nile River 还有 Cesky Krumlov 果然名不虚传，漂亮地让我们屏息。）
Friday, January 13, 2006
Friday, December 09, 2005
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Breaking my b**d?
Breaking my b**d?
I never thought the idea of breaking my b**d would have crossed my mind.
Until today. After an unexpected discussion with my professor.
Yes, I’m seriously thinking about the feasibility and plausibility of breaking my b**d now. But I cannot afford it, I know. So I will not break my b**d, unless somebody is willing to pay all the money (an astronomical 6-digit figure) for me.
Morally and socially, this is wrong, I know. My mind is clear. My professor told me, “This is clearly trickier than I thought.”
“Is it the government or a private company?” Prof P.H. asked.
I told him explicitly, “It is private, but somewhat controlled by the government.”
“What if I write a letter to your company?” Prof P.H. said.
Oh wow, I wish that letter will work. But I told him directly, “Unless I can pay for what I owe them…”
“I see... but I will be happy to do anything else to help.”
“Let me know if I can do anything, if you decide to…” He then repeated.
Suddenly I feel free in my career options. I AM thinking of going into academia after what he said today.
I am still ruminating…
I never thought the idea of breaking my b**d would have crossed my mind.
Until today. After an unexpected discussion with my professor.
Yes, I’m seriously thinking about the feasibility and plausibility of breaking my b**d now. But I cannot afford it, I know. So I will not break my b**d, unless somebody is willing to pay all the money (an astronomical 6-digit figure) for me.
Morally and socially, this is wrong, I know. My mind is clear. My professor told me, “This is clearly trickier than I thought.”
“Is it the government or a private company?” Prof P.H. asked.
I told him explicitly, “It is private, but somewhat controlled by the government.”
“What if I write a letter to your company?” Prof P.H. said.
Oh wow, I wish that letter will work. But I told him directly, “Unless I can pay for what I owe them…”
“I see... but I will be happy to do anything else to help.”
“Let me know if I can do anything, if you decide to…” He then repeated.
Suddenly I feel free in my career options. I AM thinking of going into academia after what he said today.
I am still ruminating…
Thursday, November 24, 2005
我知道
我知道
我知道我离开后一定会想念 Hampstead ，但是直到昨天我才发现我会多么想念这个地方。绕着整个村庄走了一圈好像在梦里游走一样，可能是起雾的关系吧，朦朦胧胧，这样的场景我记得只在电影里看过，还以为现实生活根本不可能有这么一个地方。至少，Hampstead 跟伦敦市中心相差十万八千里。一处传来法国煎饼的诱人香味，理所当然把我引了过去。然后潜意识坐在 Haagen-dazs 外面吃着比在法国煎饼店卖的煎饼还要正宗的 Hampstead 煎饼，我知道我一年后会想念从法国老板娘口里吐出的每句浪漫法语。
听说布拉格也像 Hampstead 一样迷人，挺期待的……
我知道我离开后一定会想念 Hampstead ，但是直到昨天我才发现我会多么想念这个地方。绕着整个村庄走了一圈好像在梦里游走一样，可能是起雾的关系吧，朦朦胧胧，这样的场景我记得只在电影里看过，还以为现实生活根本不可能有这么一个地方。至少，Hampstead 跟伦敦市中心相差十万八千里。一处传来法国煎饼的诱人香味，理所当然把我引了过去。然后潜意识坐在 Haagen-dazs 外面吃着比在法国煎饼店卖的煎饼还要正宗的 Hampstead 煎饼，我知道我一年后会想念从法国老板娘口里吐出的每句浪漫法语。
听说布拉格也像 Hampstead 一样迷人，挺期待的……
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
一般
一般
法国发生暴乱，我偏往法国去。结果，在脑里设想的各种刺激遭遇我什么都没有经历，离开 Lyon 后，那里才发生暴乱。早知道我就在 Lyon 待多几天。
秘鲁之后，欧洲的风景再也无法刺激我的感官。怎么办？以前肯定觉得很壮观很雄伟的教堂、城市、建筑现在只不过是另外一个教堂、城市、建筑而已。如诗如画的小桥流水，我以前肯定会觉得很迷人，现在连快门也懒得按。
原来，去了 Andes 一趟，其他再美丽的风景也只是一般。
法国发生暴乱，我偏往法国去。结果，在脑里设想的各种刺激遭遇我什么都没有经历，离开 Lyon 后，那里才发生暴乱。早知道我就在 Lyon 待多几天。
秘鲁之后，欧洲的风景再也无法刺激我的感官。怎么办？以前肯定觉得很壮观很雄伟的教堂、城市、建筑现在只不过是另外一个教堂、城市、建筑而已。如诗如画的小桥流水，我以前肯定会觉得很迷人，现在连快门也懒得按。
原来，去了 Andes 一趟，其他再美丽的风景也只是一般。
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
几时啊？
几时啊？
读完 Hiram Bingham 的 Lost City of the Incas，我发现我始终放不下秘鲁。
通往Machu Picchu 的火车轨道前几天因为土崩被埋了许久，许多旅客因此被困在古城上面好几天，无法离开，高兴得不得了。我现在多么希望我那时候在山上也遇到土崩，这样就可以在古城过夜看日出。
我现在才明白，我始终舍不得拆开我房里那几盒可卡茶的包装的原因。
到底几时才能回去啊？
读完 Hiram Bingham 的 Lost City of the Incas，我发现我始终放不下秘鲁。
通往Machu Picchu 的火车轨道前几天因为土崩被埋了许久，许多旅客因此被困在古城上面好几天，无法离开，高兴得不得了。我现在多么希望我那时候在山上也遇到土崩，这样就可以在古城过夜看日出。
我现在才明白，我始终舍不得拆开我房里那几盒可卡茶的包装的原因。
到底几时才能回去啊？
Friday, October 28, 2005
有一种感觉
有一种感觉
在繁华拥挤的城与市之间，穿梭彳亍，震耳迎来的只是令人毛骨悚然的阵阵静谧。
在喧嚣中，只能做垂死的挣扎，苦命了解生存的最后意义，甚至理由。
然后，把自己隔离开来，在布莱顿石滩上的冷冷清清中是寻寻觅觅的开始，得到的是凄凄惨惨的恍然大悟，还有恍恍惚惚的辛酸。
英吉利海峡送来的只是秋天的萧瑟凉意。
落寞和孤寂本来就不应该是旅游的心情。
这一切，究竟是为了什么？
~~~~~
注：布莱顿的英文名为 Brighton，是英国东南部靠海的城市。布莱顿海边有的是独特的石滩，海浪声与一般的沙滩不同。
在繁华拥挤的城与市之间，穿梭彳亍，震耳迎来的只是令人毛骨悚然的阵阵静谧。
在喧嚣中，只能做垂死的挣扎，苦命了解生存的最后意义，甚至理由。
然后，把自己隔离开来，在布莱顿石滩上的冷冷清清中是寻寻觅觅的开始，得到的是凄凄惨惨的恍然大悟，还有恍恍惚惚的辛酸。
英吉利海峡送来的只是秋天的萧瑟凉意。
落寞和孤寂本来就不应该是旅游的心情。
这一切，究竟是为了什么？
~~~~~
注：布莱顿的英文名为 Brighton，是英国东南部靠海的城市。布莱顿海边有的是独特的石滩，海浪声与一般的沙滩不同。
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Possible
Possible
The Program Administrator says one year is possible and in recent years, a number of Singaporeans have managed to complete it in one year. She added that if my Chinese language skills are sufficiently advanced, then I “should certainly be in a position to complete the degree in one academic year.”
Chinese is definitely not a problem. What’s worrying me more is the requirement of switching between both languages, which I am still not quite comfortable with, even after so many internships.
But I really do like the wide variety of the courses available at H University. There is even a full module on learning Cantonese from scratch.
However, she said that they can only confirm after I have received an offer and only after I have matriculated. So, now I have to think of ways to convince my sponsor… and then make sure I get an offer…
The Program Administrator says one year is possible and in recent years, a number of Singaporeans have managed to complete it in one year. She added that if my Chinese language skills are sufficiently advanced, then I “should certainly be in a position to complete the degree in one academic year.”
Chinese is definitely not a problem. What’s worrying me more is the requirement of switching between both languages, which I am still not quite comfortable with, even after so many internships.
But I really do like the wide variety of the courses available at H University. There is even a full module on learning Cantonese from scratch.
However, she said that they can only confirm after I have received an offer and only after I have matriculated. So, now I have to think of ways to convince my sponsor… and then make sure I get an offer…
Friday, October 21, 2005
Painful Process
It helps having only a few hours of lessons per week. At least I have ample time to do my psychological research and to complete my applications to graduate schools. They seem to be on the right track currently: I am almost ready to run my experiment on people, I only need to change some experimental variables. Applications wise, everybody is giving me their support, and I really feel pampered and lucky.
Letters of recommendation
I was discussing with Professor H regarding his letter of recommendation, and I told him frankly, “I really have no idea how you are going to write since I am not doing Science anymore, but am applying for a Humanities programme.” But he reassured me, “Don’t worry, I’ll write all the flattering stuff. I’ll make sure nothing goes wrong. I’ve got your CV, your academic records, your draft statement of purpose to Harvard… everything will be fine.” (By the way, Harvard’s program is a 2 year course, SPH won’t allow and I’m just applying for fun. Will negotiate with SPH if I do get in.)
Just when I am still dissatsified with my third draft of the statement of purpose, he added, “Your statement looks good. Really helps me in writing my reference.”
And then he asked me when the deadline is. I said “Late December, early January.”
He replied without hesistation, “I will finish the reference by next week.”
My second referee, Dr L, was also very supportive and he said, “You know what, my PhD was in Philosophy, maybe I can write that in and say that I know the qualities and skills required to do a Humanities subject and that you possess these, to make my reference more convincing. Moreover, I am switching to do Psych now, so I don’t see why you cannot switch also.”
Dr L then added, “I am going to the US next month, visiting Berkeley and other universities, and will be meeting some senior professors. I’ll get their opinions on how to recommend and what admissions committee in the US usually look for, and see what I can write for you.”
My third referee, Mr C from Zaobao, was the first person I approached and he instantly agreed to write a reference for me. I still cannot forget his four words “全力支持”, when I first made the request when I was still interning in September. I am counting on his reference since it should be the most relevant to the course I am applying.
I really don’t know how to thank them.
Statement of Purpose
I have already spent 3 weeks on this and I am still not satisfied, and am working on my fourth draft. What makes this task worse is that different schools have different requirements. So, I am writing 2 versions for different schools. The US ones are fine, the UK ones are disastrous. Cambridge initially wanted a short piece not more than 720 characters long. Note that it's not words, but characters, including spaces. I was wondering if they want me to use bombastic vocabulary and idioms? Just when I finished and managed to condense my original statement of 800 words to 719 characters (about 100 words), Cambridge said they want 4 pages instead. I almost want to kill myself when I read that from their email.
But I am thankful that friends have been critical and giving me their comments. Dr L even edited my second draft. So all the more, I shouldn’t let them down and myself down.
GRE
This is the worst nightmare I suppose. I am confident in my essays and the maths section, but not the verbal part.
J took the test recently and he said he might have to retake because he did not get 800 for maths. I said, “HUH? 770 for Maths and a total of almost 1500 still not good enough?”
J explained, “Applicants who got in to that course in that university got a minimum of 800 for maths.” (the maximum score one can get is 800).
I almost fainted on the spot.
In that case, do I need to get 800 for my verbal?
But I seriously do reckon that I have to retake the test, since I haven’t started preparing at all.
J said he had never seen most of the words in his life.
H.M said mugging might help. Well, I just printed out the word list.
But I've got only 5 more days.
Help!
It helps having only a few hours of lessons per week. At least I have ample time to do my psychological research and to complete my applications to graduate schools. They seem to be on the right track currently: I am almost ready to run my experiment on people, I only need to change some experimental variables. Applications wise, everybody is giving me their support, and I really feel pampered and lucky.
Letters of recommendation
I was discussing with Professor H regarding his letter of recommendation, and I told him frankly, “I really have no idea how you are going to write since I am not doing Science anymore, but am applying for a Humanities programme.” But he reassured me, “Don’t worry, I’ll write all the flattering stuff. I’ll make sure nothing goes wrong. I’ve got your CV, your academic records, your draft statement of purpose to Harvard… everything will be fine.” (By the way, Harvard’s program is a 2 year course, SPH won’t allow and I’m just applying for fun. Will negotiate with SPH if I do get in.)
Just when I am still dissatsified with my third draft of the statement of purpose, he added, “Your statement looks good. Really helps me in writing my reference.”
And then he asked me when the deadline is. I said “Late December, early January.”
He replied without hesistation, “I will finish the reference by next week.”
My second referee, Dr L, was also very supportive and he said, “You know what, my PhD was in Philosophy, maybe I can write that in and say that I know the qualities and skills required to do a Humanities subject and that you possess these, to make my reference more convincing. Moreover, I am switching to do Psych now, so I don’t see why you cannot switch also.”
Dr L then added, “I am going to the US next month, visiting Berkeley and other universities, and will be meeting some senior professors. I’ll get their opinions on how to recommend and what admissions committee in the US usually look for, and see what I can write for you.”
My third referee, Mr C from Zaobao, was the first person I approached and he instantly agreed to write a reference for me. I still cannot forget his four words “全力支持”, when I first made the request when I was still interning in September. I am counting on his reference since it should be the most relevant to the course I am applying.
I really don’t know how to thank them.
Statement of Purpose
I have already spent 3 weeks on this and I am still not satisfied, and am working on my fourth draft. What makes this task worse is that different schools have different requirements. So, I am writing 2 versions for different schools. The US ones are fine, the UK ones are disastrous. Cambridge initially wanted a short piece not more than 720 characters long. Note that it's not words, but characters, including spaces. I was wondering if they want me to use bombastic vocabulary and idioms? Just when I finished and managed to condense my original statement of 800 words to 719 characters (about 100 words), Cambridge said they want 4 pages instead. I almost want to kill myself when I read that from their email.
But I am thankful that friends have been critical and giving me their comments. Dr L even edited my second draft. So all the more, I shouldn’t let them down and myself down.
GRE
This is the worst nightmare I suppose. I am confident in my essays and the maths section, but not the verbal part.
J took the test recently and he said he might have to retake because he did not get 800 for maths. I said, “HUH? 770 for Maths and a total of almost 1500 still not good enough?”
J explained, “Applicants who got in to that course in that university got a minimum of 800 for maths.” (the maximum score one can get is 800).
I almost fainted on the spot.
In that case, do I need to get 800 for my verbal?
But I seriously do reckon that I have to retake the test, since I haven’t started preparing at all.
J said he had never seen most of the words in his life.
H.M said mugging might help. Well, I just printed out the word list.
But I've got only 5 more days.
Help!
Saturday, October 15, 2005
旅行瘾
身边的每个人都在为功课忙碌，我却整天想要去哪里玩。那天订了去 Prague 还有 Budapest 的飞机票，然后一口气又订了去 Brighton 和 Canterbury 的车票。现在除了在策划埃及的行程，也在勤读英国还有欧洲的 Lonely Planet，打算在近期内又收拾背包去法国和德国旅行。现在想去 Munich 附近的 Neuschwanstein 城堡，还有法国的 Lyon 和 Nice 和 Cannes。我还想去 Arles 看梵高的那间咖啡座。本来也想去希腊，可是机票贵得离谱，只好暂时放弃。英国呢，最想去 Lake District 还有 Cornwall。当然还有 Scotland 的 Loch Ness。
我已经打算考完 GRE 还有完成报考研究所的程序后，每天都去旅行，除了星期二和四上课以外。
因为我恐怕，我在欧洲的时间不多。现在不去，不知道要等到几时？
可是，去 Peru 的三千多英磅的旅行费（我到现在还没有计算到底花了多少）还没有赚回来，现在口袋又要破大洞。
我也不管这么多。钱本来就是要拿来花，这样才对得起钱。
很多人在问，我是来读书还是来旅行的？
我直接说，我是来旅行的。
这就是每个星期只上 4 小时课惹的祸。
身边的每个人都在为功课忙碌，我却整天想要去哪里玩。那天订了去 Prague 还有 Budapest 的飞机票，然后一口气又订了去 Brighton 和 Canterbury 的车票。现在除了在策划埃及的行程，也在勤读英国还有欧洲的 Lonely Planet，打算在近期内又收拾背包去法国和德国旅行。现在想去 Munich 附近的 Neuschwanstein 城堡，还有法国的 Lyon 和 Nice 和 Cannes。我还想去 Arles 看梵高的那间咖啡座。本来也想去希腊，可是机票贵得离谱，只好暂时放弃。英国呢，最想去 Lake District 还有 Cornwall。当然还有 Scotland 的 Loch Ness。
我已经打算考完 GRE 还有完成报考研究所的程序后，每天都去旅行，除了星期二和四上课以外。
因为我恐怕，我在欧洲的时间不多。现在不去，不知道要等到几时？
可是，去 Peru 的三千多英磅的旅行费（我到现在还没有计算到底花了多少）还没有赚回来，现在口袋又要破大洞。
我也不管这么多。钱本来就是要拿来花，这样才对得起钱。
很多人在问，我是来读书还是来旅行的？
我直接说，我是来旅行的。
这就是每个星期只上 4 小时课惹的祸。
Monday, October 10, 2005
The Other Side & The Light
这是一篇没有连贯性的 post。
"Somewhere Only We Know"
by Keane
I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me?
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
So why don't we go
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
*****
Keane 的这首歌和整张专辑已经永久储藏在我脑袋里，挥之不去。Keane 来自英国，而我这张专辑却是在秘鲁的库斯科市场买的。
可能大家都在英国生活，歌词要引起我的共鸣一点都不困难，我越听越喜欢。
那天，终于好不容易用我仅剩的西班牙文回复以前在秘鲁教我西班牙文现在人在爱尔兰的老师的电邮。怎么才两个月，我的西班牙文和Quechua 已经忘了七七八八？Quechua 可是很漂亮的语言，我看我明天会去 Waterstones 买 Lonely Planet 的 “Learn to Speak Quechua” 的语言指南。
这几天一直呆在家，因为伦敦的乌云在空中越飘越低，把我压得越来越紧。
在家也不错，有条忠心的狗陪我，第一天见面是在今年五月，看到我就吠个不停；现在整天看着我煮菜，吃饭。看它这么乖，我就喂它，它还会舔我表示谢意。有时侯，我在想人是不是连狗都不如？
那篇命名 “Statement of Purpose” 的文件，前几天已经打算写了。现在，过了几天后，荧幕仍然是空着的，只打了以上那三个英文字。
Neil 那天来我的豪宅，看到我去年在大学考第一的信，说这点可以写进去啊。我说，他们会不会觉得我很不要脸。我在想，我心理学考第一又怎样，我又不可以报考心理学的 Masters Program，因为某人不让。所以，我只好报其他的课程，所以我到现在只打了那三个字。
不过，整个系一百多人，我考第一是挺高兴的啦，能把所有英国人压在我脚下，不要以为新加坡人只有数学、工程好，人文科目，我们也不赖，看你们英国人还敢不敢瞧不起我们。
写了这么多，全部都是废话，考第一又怎样，越想越气，真想不报算了。
“If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake”
我在想，我是不是可以看到 "The Other Side" 和 "The Light" ？
现在只有 Keane 的歌可以给我一点安慰。
*****
Bend & Break
by Keane
When you, when you forget your name
When old faces all look the same
Meet me in the morning when you wake up
Meet me in the morning then you'll wake up
If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake
Bitter and hardened heart
Aching waiting for life to start
Meet me in the morning when you wake up
Meet me in the morning then you'll wake up
If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake
If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake
这是一篇没有连贯性的 post。
"Somewhere Only We Know"
by Keane
I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me?
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
Oh simple thing where have you gone
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin
And if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
So why don't we go
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?
*****
Keane 的这首歌和整张专辑已经永久储藏在我脑袋里，挥之不去。Keane 来自英国，而我这张专辑却是在秘鲁的库斯科市场买的。
可能大家都在英国生活，歌词要引起我的共鸣一点都不困难，我越听越喜欢。
那天，终于好不容易用我仅剩的西班牙文回复以前在秘鲁教我西班牙文现在人在爱尔兰的老师的电邮。怎么才两个月，我的西班牙文和Quechua 已经忘了七七八八？Quechua 可是很漂亮的语言，我看我明天会去 Waterstones 买 Lonely Planet 的 “Learn to Speak Quechua” 的语言指南。
这几天一直呆在家，因为伦敦的乌云在空中越飘越低，把我压得越来越紧。
在家也不错，有条忠心的狗陪我，第一天见面是在今年五月，看到我就吠个不停；现在整天看着我煮菜，吃饭。看它这么乖，我就喂它，它还会舔我表示谢意。有时侯，我在想人是不是连狗都不如？
那篇命名 “Statement of Purpose” 的文件，前几天已经打算写了。现在，过了几天后，荧幕仍然是空着的，只打了以上那三个英文字。
Neil 那天来我的豪宅，看到我去年在大学考第一的信，说这点可以写进去啊。我说，他们会不会觉得我很不要脸。我在想，我心理学考第一又怎样，我又不可以报考心理学的 Masters Program，因为某人不让。所以，我只好报其他的课程，所以我到现在只打了那三个字。
不过，整个系一百多人，我考第一是挺高兴的啦，能把所有英国人压在我脚下，不要以为新加坡人只有数学、工程好，人文科目，我们也不赖，看你们英国人还敢不敢瞧不起我们。
写了这么多，全部都是废话，考第一又怎样，越想越气，真想不报算了。
“If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake”
我在想，我是不是可以看到 "The Other Side" 和 "The Light" ？
现在只有 Keane 的歌可以给我一点安慰。
*****
Bend & Break
by Keane
When you, when you forget your name
When old faces all look the same
Meet me in the morning when you wake up
Meet me in the morning then you'll wake up
If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake
Bitter and hardened heart
Aching waiting for life to start
Meet me in the morning when you wake up
Meet me in the morning then you'll wake up
If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake
If only I don't bend and break
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake
I'll meet you on the other side
I'll meet you in the light
If only I don't suffocate
I'll meet you in the morning when you wake
Wednesday, October 05, 2005
Final Year in London
This is almost definitely my last year staying in London.
I love London but I love Hampstead more, so much so that when I touched down, I immediately had Hampstead crepes for my first meal.
And I love my new place. I’ve got my own TV cum DVD player, kitchen, fridge, oven, gas stoves, rice cooker, pans, 1 small sofa, 3 chairs, 1 big cushion, 1 fireplace, bathtub, 1 comfortable bed, few bottles of wine, 3 flavours of Whittard Hot Chocolate powder, 4 different kinds of coffee powder (Cappuccino, Mocha, Latte and double chocolate coffee) and many different kinds of tea (Coca Tea from Peru, Ginseng Tea from Korea, Chrysanthemum Tea and Herbal Tea from Singapore). And I just got my internet connection set up in my bedroom, which took an entire week to complete the installation. And just opposite me is Hampstead Heath. The creperie is just 5 minutes away. What more can I ask for? (I’ll possibly put up a few pictures of my place soon.)
To top it up, I have only 3 hours of lectures per week this term, and the rest of the time is dedicated to my research work.
It sounds too good to be true, yah?
Now that I’ve done practically nothing and just stone in Hampstead since arrival in London, the past 10 days has been a well-deserved break after the hectic schedule from late May to late September, so hectic that I only managed to meet up with 2 friends back in Singapore.
It’s time for me to get the engine started again.
A few major things are going to take place concurrently.
Research work for my dissertation is on the right track currently. I’m still in the process of designing my experiment which should be ready for testing in a few days’ time.
Applying for graduate school is one big headache and time-consuming indeed. I’ve gotten my financial letters from SPH and I finally booked my GRE which is scheduled on October 26th. I expect to retake it, especially because I haven’t started preparing yet. Who knows I might have to take it when I’m in Egypt in December? I’ve filled up the basic details for some graduate schools' applications online. I’m left with the Statement of Purpose, CV/resume, Research Proposal, transcripts and letters of recommendation (Shen Jiang has kindly to write one out of the three required, so I need to source for two professors in university). And Oxford needs 2 extra pieces of recent written work, which I don’t have, so I might just give up applying to Oxford. So basically, I need to sort out the above for 5 universities I’m applying to (Cambridge in UK and four others in the US) and the deadline isn’t far ahead. By the way, the application fees are freaking expensive.
And I’ve also booked my air tickets to Cairo after Christmas. I need to plan my itinerary for Egypt and then to source for my air tickets to Prague and back from Budapest for the Eastern Europe trip I’m undertaking prior to Egypt as well.
That’s a preview of my life for the next few months.
回来后，我想念的竟是秘鲁的天气。
This is almost definitely my last year staying in London.
I love London but I love Hampstead more, so much so that when I touched down, I immediately had Hampstead crepes for my first meal.
And I love my new place. I’ve got my own TV cum DVD player, kitchen, fridge, oven, gas stoves, rice cooker, pans, 1 small sofa, 3 chairs, 1 big cushion, 1 fireplace, bathtub, 1 comfortable bed, few bottles of wine, 3 flavours of Whittard Hot Chocolate powder, 4 different kinds of coffee powder (Cappuccino, Mocha, Latte and double chocolate coffee) and many different kinds of tea (Coca Tea from Peru, Ginseng Tea from Korea, Chrysanthemum Tea and Herbal Tea from Singapore). And I just got my internet connection set up in my bedroom, which took an entire week to complete the installation. And just opposite me is Hampstead Heath. The creperie is just 5 minutes away. What more can I ask for? (I’ll possibly put up a few pictures of my place soon.)
To top it up, I have only 3 hours of lectures per week this term, and the rest of the time is dedicated to my research work.
It sounds too good to be true, yah?
Now that I’ve done practically nothing and just stone in Hampstead since arrival in London, the past 10 days has been a well-deserved break after the hectic schedule from late May to late September, so hectic that I only managed to meet up with 2 friends back in Singapore.
It’s time for me to get the engine started again.
A few major things are going to take place concurrently.
Research work for my dissertation is on the right track currently. I’m still in the process of designing my experiment which should be ready for testing in a few days’ time.
Applying for graduate school is one big headache and time-consuming indeed. I’ve gotten my financial letters from SPH and I finally booked my GRE which is scheduled on October 26th. I expect to retake it, especially because I haven’t started preparing yet. Who knows I might have to take it when I’m in Egypt in December? I’ve filled up the basic details for some graduate schools' applications online. I’m left with the Statement of Purpose, CV/resume, Research Proposal, transcripts and letters of recommendation (Shen Jiang has kindly to write one out of the three required, so I need to source for two professors in university). And Oxford needs 2 extra pieces of recent written work, which I don’t have, so I might just give up applying to Oxford. So basically, I need to sort out the above for 5 universities I’m applying to (Cambridge in UK and four others in the US) and the deadline isn’t far ahead. By the way, the application fees are freaking expensive.
And I’ve also booked my air tickets to Cairo after Christmas. I need to plan my itinerary for Egypt and then to source for my air tickets to Prague and back from Budapest for the Eastern Europe trip I’m undertaking prior to Egypt as well.
That’s a preview of my life for the next few months.
回来后，我想念的竟是秘鲁的天气。
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
一个
我很久很久没有这么久没有 update blog 了。因为太忙，我连睡觉的精力都没有，这才发现原来睡觉也需要很多的力气。
回到伦敦已经十天，不过先写一些报馆工作的事。先声明以下的文字可能会很不要脸。
*****
工作的最后一天，君琴审完稿后，对我说：“你这篇新闻写得很好嘞，新闻组织得很好，把各要点放在对的地方……”“你以后一定要回来这里……”
深江说：“你在早报实习的时候，也是早报采访团队向你学习的时候。”他接着说：“我会大力争取你来早报。不过你以后要 indicate ，不然我上去人事部争取，然后你放别的报就不好了。”
天明说：“小兄弟，今天你最后一天，谢谢你的帮忙，以后要申请回来早报。”
德婷说：“你到底还有几年才读完？先祝你一路顺风。”
谷一说：“我们不用争取啦，你一定被派来这边。”
早报采访组 5 位主任，同一个意思，不管他们讲的是不是真的，我还是听了很爽，因为实习了 4 次，从来没有主任这样直接对我说过。
晚报主任崇文说：“我还以为你已经毕业了，回来作正式的了。早报以前的那个主任从来不给实习生这样多机会。”
副刊主任佩卿姐那天看到我，笑着对我说：“现在终于看到你的人了，整天看到你的 byline ，为什么没有回去副刊找我们？”
我听了这些人讲的话，心里越听越爽。
*****
回来后，我重新温习伦敦。
那天，经过学校毗邻的爆炸所在地，看到地上在事隔三个月后仍然摆了几束花，不过全部已经枯萎。
除了这样，伦敦并没有任何异样。完全没有。
不知情的人，根本看不出伦敦发生过爆炸事件。
我也和其他伦敦人一样，照常搭巴士、地下铁。
7 万个伦敦人，一个伦敦。
我很久很久没有这么久没有 update blog 了。因为太忙，我连睡觉的精力都没有，这才发现原来睡觉也需要很多的力气。
回到伦敦已经十天，不过先写一些报馆工作的事。先声明以下的文字可能会很不要脸。
*****
工作的最后一天，君琴审完稿后，对我说：“你这篇新闻写得很好嘞，新闻组织得很好，把各要点放在对的地方……”“你以后一定要回来这里……”
深江说：“你在早报实习的时候，也是早报采访团队向你学习的时候。”他接着说：“我会大力争取你来早报。不过你以后要 indicate ，不然我上去人事部争取，然后你放别的报就不好了。”
天明说：“小兄弟，今天你最后一天，谢谢你的帮忙，以后要申请回来早报。”
德婷说：“你到底还有几年才读完？先祝你一路顺风。”
谷一说：“我们不用争取啦，你一定被派来这边。”
早报采访组 5 位主任，同一个意思，不管他们讲的是不是真的，我还是听了很爽，因为实习了 4 次，从来没有主任这样直接对我说过。
晚报主任崇文说：“我还以为你已经毕业了，回来作正式的了。早报以前的那个主任从来不给实习生这样多机会。”
副刊主任佩卿姐那天看到我，笑着对我说：“现在终于看到你的人了，整天看到你的 byline ，为什么没有回去副刊找我们？”
我听了这些人讲的话，心里越听越爽。
*****
回来后，我重新温习伦敦。
那天，经过学校毗邻的爆炸所在地，看到地上在事隔三个月后仍然摆了几束花，不过全部已经枯萎。
除了这样，伦敦并没有任何异样。完全没有。
不知情的人，根本看不出伦敦发生过爆炸事件。
我也和其他伦敦人一样，照常搭巴士、地下铁。
7 万个伦敦人，一个伦敦。
Sunday, September 04, 2005
工作侧记
报馆的资源似乎享用不尽，请我这个实习生然后派我去了很多很多无聊的工作，还没去之前看了 Media Invite 和 Press Release 就知道这份工作是可以不去的，结果姓邢的某主任还派了摄影记者一同和我受罪。后来，我当然是去了跟公关应酬一下，摄影同事也意思意思拍了几张照片，然后我们顺便去吃当局为媒体设的免费自助餐，回到公司跟老板汇报后，理所当然报道连写也不用写，这样的工作已经有 10 多次了。最尴尬的是，当公关和受访者打电话给我，追问我报道几时会见报，很多时候，我不知道怎么对他们说：“不好意思，我连写都没有写！”
但是，话说回来，其实这样出来走走也不错，总比在报馆清闲来得好。
前天，蔡深江问我工作一个月了如何，我斩钉截铁地对他说：“你们给我的工作很无聊。”他回应：“是啊！我是要给你看新加坡的新闻到底有多无聊。”
哇！我实在欣赏深江的坦白、开通。他是我第一个看到这样直率的新闻主任。
然后，深江接着说：“我就是要看你几时受不了。新闻等你去发掘！”
好的，我现在要说大话了：三份主要华文报，我都作过头条。还有多两个星期的实习，我要再次做头条新闻，再上《联合早报》的封面。
请看招！
报馆的资源似乎享用不尽，请我这个实习生然后派我去了很多很多无聊的工作，还没去之前看了 Media Invite 和 Press Release 就知道这份工作是可以不去的，结果姓邢的某主任还派了摄影记者一同和我受罪。后来，我当然是去了跟公关应酬一下，摄影同事也意思意思拍了几张照片，然后我们顺便去吃当局为媒体设的免费自助餐，回到公司跟老板汇报后，理所当然报道连写也不用写，这样的工作已经有 10 多次了。最尴尬的是，当公关和受访者打电话给我，追问我报道几时会见报，很多时候，我不知道怎么对他们说：“不好意思，我连写都没有写！”
但是，话说回来，其实这样出来走走也不错，总比在报馆清闲来得好。
前天，蔡深江问我工作一个月了如何，我斩钉截铁地对他说：“你们给我的工作很无聊。”他回应：“是啊！我是要给你看新加坡的新闻到底有多无聊。”
哇！我实在欣赏深江的坦白、开通。他是我第一个看到这样直率的新闻主任。
然后，深江接着说：“我就是要看你几时受不了。新闻等你去发掘！”
好的，我现在要说大话了：三份主要华文报，我都作过头条。还有多两个星期的实习，我要再次做头条新闻，再上《联合早报》的封面。
请看招！
Monday, August 22, 2005
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Some photographs from Peru
I haven't got the time to sort the 1000 or so photographs I took in Peru. But I thought I should at least put up some of them here. Hopefully I'll be able to put more in my gallery. :)
So, here's a mini selection of 33 photographs. Enjoy.
The town of Urubamba - my home for 2 months.
Our eco-tourism lodge in Chicon, 6 km from Urubamba.
Some Peruvian children we taught during our mini-project.
The Salinas (salt pans) in the Sacred Valley.
Plaza de Armas in Cusco, the capital of South America.
The ruins at Pisac.
Matt and I learning about bees at one of our weekend workshops.
Reed boats at the Uros islands on Lake Titicaca.
The mountains in Bolivia viewed from Isla Amantani on Lake Titicaca.
A group photo after a mini fiesta on Lake Titicaca.
A Peruvian girl at Inti Raymi, Cusco.
A scene from Inti Raymi at Sacsayhuaman.
Cooking our lunch with heated rocks and soil using the traditional Peruvian way.
Santa Catalina Convent in Arequipa.
On the way to Chivay and Colca Canyon from Arequipa.
Mother and son in a small village in Colca Canyon.
At Colca Canyon, the world's second deepest canyon where graceful condors zoomed past my head.
Typical colourful Peruvian textile on sale at Cruz del Condor.
This exotic monkey belongs to Javier, my volunteer work coordinator.
Javier rears many guinea pigs for food. Guinea pigs are not pets in Peru.
A group photo at the beginning of the 80-km Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
The second day of the trek was the worst, ascending almost 1000 metres in 2 hours.
We crossed the river using this manual pulley system.
Alas! After 5 days of trekking, I made it to Machu Picchu.
The magnificent view of Machu Picchu from Wayna Picchu.
On the way to the Amazon Jungle, descending into the cloudforest.
Only the first part of the journey to Manu National Park in the Amazon was by bus; the rest was by boat.
We were very lucky to spot many caimans in the Amazon.
Approaching Cocha Otorongo, the best part of Manu.
Mornings in the Amazon are always misty.
On a catamaran on Cocha Salvador in the Amazon.
The gorgeous view of the Andes on my plane on the way from Cusco to Lima.
Lima is a coastal city and the beaches are probably the best parts of the city.
I haven't got the time to sort the 1000 or so photographs I took in Peru. But I thought I should at least put up some of them here. Hopefully I'll be able to put more in my gallery. :)
So, here's a mini selection of 33 photographs. Enjoy.
The town of Urubamba - my home for 2 months.
Our eco-tourism lodge in Chicon, 6 km from Urubamba.
Some Peruvian children we taught during our mini-project.
The Salinas (salt pans) in the Sacred Valley.
Plaza de Armas in Cusco, the capital of South America.
The ruins at Pisac.
Matt and I learning about bees at one of our weekend workshops.
Reed boats at the Uros islands on Lake Titicaca.
The mountains in Bolivia viewed from Isla Amantani on Lake Titicaca.
A group photo after a mini fiesta on Lake Titicaca.
A Peruvian girl at Inti Raymi, Cusco.
A scene from Inti Raymi at Sacsayhuaman.
Cooking our lunch with heated rocks and soil using the traditional Peruvian way.
Santa Catalina Convent in Arequipa.
On the way to Chivay and Colca Canyon from Arequipa.
Mother and son in a small village in Colca Canyon.
At Colca Canyon, the world's second deepest canyon where graceful condors zoomed past my head.
Typical colourful Peruvian textile on sale at Cruz del Condor.
This exotic monkey belongs to Javier, my volunteer work coordinator.
Javier rears many guinea pigs for food. Guinea pigs are not pets in Peru.
A group photo at the beginning of the 80-km Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu.
The second day of the trek was the worst, ascending almost 1000 metres in 2 hours.
We crossed the river using this manual pulley system.
Alas! After 5 days of trekking, I made it to Machu Picchu.
The magnificent view of Machu Picchu from Wayna Picchu.
On the way to the Amazon Jungle, descending into the cloudforest.
Only the first part of the journey to Manu National Park in the Amazon was by bus; the rest was by boat.
We were very lucky to spot many caimans in the Amazon.
Approaching Cocha Otorongo, the best part of Manu.
Mornings in the Amazon are always misty.
On a catamaran on Cocha Salvador in the Amazon.
The gorgeous view of the Andes on my plane on the way from Cusco to Lima.
Lima is a coastal city and the beaches are probably the best parts of the city.
Saturday, August 06, 2005
忙？
回到新加坡的 36 个小时后便到报馆上班。跟蔡深江主任报到不到 3 个小时，他就拿了 4 份报纸叫我整理一条新闻。隔天，就派我去记者会采访一条新闻。然后，第 2 天晚上，他问我工作还好吗。我不知道我是不是给了一个“我很有空”的脸，第 3 天，他丢了 3 份采访工作给我。早上 9 时一个校园新闻；早上 11 时第 2 份采访工作是记者会；下午 3 时第 3 份工作是新书发布会，纳丹总统是会上嘉宾，自然而然得问有关选举的事。结果，那天做工做了 1４ 个小时，他晚上 10 时 30 分看到我还在公司，对我笑说：“你今天很忙 hor？”
工作量虽多，不过我真的很感激主任的信任。连福州都说：“派实习记者访问总统，从来没有这回事。”
忙总比不忙来得好吧？
回到新加坡的 36 个小时后便到报馆上班。跟蔡深江主任报到不到 3 个小时，他就拿了 4 份报纸叫我整理一条新闻。隔天，就派我去记者会采访一条新闻。然后，第 2 天晚上，他问我工作还好吗。我不知道我是不是给了一个“我很有空”的脸，第 3 天，他丢了 3 份采访工作给我。早上 9 时一个校园新闻；早上 11 时第 2 份采访工作是记者会；下午 3 时第 3 份工作是新书发布会，纳丹总统是会上嘉宾，自然而然得问有关选举的事。结果，那天做工做了 1４ 个小时，他晚上 10 时 30 分看到我还在公司，对我笑说：“你今天很忙 hor？”
工作量虽多，不过我真的很感激主任的信任。连福州都说：“派实习记者访问总统，从来没有这回事。”
忙总比不忙来得好吧？
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