22nd of March. It's the second day of spring (admittedly the nicest season), the second day of the Aries month (the first of all zodiac signs), the World Water Day, and it has two twos in the number 22. Most importantly, after all that bullcrap, this day is my birthday :D
So how did it feel like turning 22? It felt unreal really. It's like all out of sudden, I'm 22 already. Thinking back of what I've achieved in my life thus far, I would say that there's definitely ample room for improvement...but I should really be grateful for what I have now too. As Nicholas had pointed out, I'm a man now...gosh, what a term.
To me, to be a man is not just being physically build. A man has to be responsible for himself and for the people around him, generous, open-minded, humble, and kind. A man must be able to keep his head when others are losing theirs. A man exudes an aura of confidence. A man leads when leadership is needed. A man knows how to love and not expecting to be love in return. In conclusion, the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling pretty much defines what a man is supposed to be. It's definitely not easy being a man, and to be a better man (reminds you of Robbie Williams?) will remain to be my lifelong goal.
Here I wish to thank all of those who have made my birthday meaningful. Special thanks to my Umich friends. And thanks to whoever who gave me the mug as a present. You really did cheer my day up :)
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
尽信书不如无书
I'm currently reading the "Rich dad, poor dad" by Robert Kiyosaki. It's a book that teaches about financial independence, and there's a lot of radically different and seemingly profound ideas about personal financial management.
Although I haven't finish reading it, I can't help but wondering if he's as rich and financially savvy as he "boasted" in the book. It definitely wouldn't make sense to continue reading if he's not even rich in the first place right? Besides, I was thinking that since this book is an insanely famous best-seller a few years back then, wouldn't it have produced a significant numbers of millionaires across the land?
I did some research on the omniscient Wikipedia and found the following:
"Detailed analysis of public records (including SEC and county registrar of deeds) find no evidence to support Kiyosaki's status as a successful investor and businessman prior to the formation of his present venture, Cashflow Technologies, Inc. They claim that his wealth has come only as a result of selling books and audio presentations about topics he has not personally succeeded in and that he is probably worth far less than the US$50 to US$100 million he once claimed in an interview."
"In 1994 at the age of 47 he shut down the business because of adverse publicity in Australia and 'retired'".
So that's how he retired young. For more, read more on criticism and controversy related to him.
This is not to say that his advice is totally useless or of no value, but again such findings have buttressed my notion that motivational books can only do so much in presenting opinions that might not be necessarily true or applicable in the real world. A critical mind must be maintained, so that the good information can be extracted from the junk. Indeed, 尽信书不如无书...
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Daylight saving time
So tonight I'll lose one hour because of the daylight saving time.
As defined in Wikipedia:
This year's adjustment is earlier than usual, and here's the reason why (from Beauregard daily news):
There goes my one hour...
As defined in Wikipedia:
Daylight saving time (DST), also known as summer time in British English, is the convention of advancing clocks so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. Typically clocks are adjusted forward one hour in late winter or early spring and are adjusted backward in autumn. Details vary by location and change occasionally; see When it starts and stops below.
Governments often promote DST as an energy conservation measure because it substitutes summer afternoon sunlight for electrical lighting. However, in some cases DST can increase energy costs.
This year's adjustment is earlier than usual, and here's the reason why (from Beauregard daily news):
Starting this year, Daylight Saving Time has been extended by one month because of legislation signed by President George W. Bush.
Daylight Saving Time (DST) will begin at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 11, because it is the second Sunday of March. Clocks will spring ahead from 1:59 a.m. to 3 a.m. The change will end on Nov. 3, 2007, the first Sunday of November. These are the new dates for the DST period.
On August 8, 2005, President Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005. This Act changed the time change dates for Daylight Saving Time in the U.S.
Previously, the dates for Daylight Saving Time had been the first Sunday in April through the last Sunday in October.
After the time changes back in the fall, a study will be conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy. The Secretary of Energy will report the impact of this change to Congress. That governmental body retains the right to resume the 2005 Daylight Saving Time schedule.
The law by which clocks are turned forward in the spring and back in the fall is known as the Uniform Time Act of 1966. The law does not require the observance of Daylight Saving Time, simply that if DST is observed, it must be done uniformly.
The main purpose of DST is to make better use of daylight. Clocks are changed during the summer to move an hour of daylight from the morning to the evening. Countries have different change dates are the world. Near the equator, day and night are nearly the same length, about 12 hours. But elsewhere, there is much more daylight in the summer than in the winter.
The closer a location is to the North or South Pole, the longer the period of daylight in the summer. Thus, DST is usually not helpful in the tropics, and countries near the equator generally do no change their clocks.
Most of the United States begins Daylight Saving Time at 2 a.m. In the U.S., each time zone switches at a different time and DST is not observed in Hawaii, American Samoa, Suam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Arizona - with the exception of the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona.
Many fire departments encourage people to change the batteries in their smoke detectors when they change their clocks because Daylight Saving Time provides a convenient reminder.
More than 90 percent of homes in the United States have smoke detectors, but one-third are estimated to have dead or missing batteries.
There goes my one hour...
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Spring break 2007
A summary of my spring break:
-ski trip
-a bunch of hangout sessions
-a couple restaurant visits
-laser tag
-badminton
-2 movies (Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, Cast away)
-futile attempts in starting my paper
-some piano practice sessions
-UMIMSA makan-makan
-1 novel
I can't think of anything else...very unproductive indeed, and I don't feel like I had enough rest (well, it's never enough in fact :D). The second half of the semester will be a killer, and yeah, that pisses me a lot, a whole lot... Bring it on man, I'll see what you can do...
Ski trip organized by UMIMSA!!
-ski trip
-a bunch of hangout sessions
-a couple restaurant visits
-laser tag
-badminton
-2 movies (Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, Cast away)
-futile attempts in starting my paper
-some piano practice sessions
-UMIMSA makan-makan
-1 novel
I can't think of anything else...very unproductive indeed, and I don't feel like I had enough rest (well, it's never enough in fact :D). The second half of the semester will be a killer, and yeah, that pisses me a lot, a whole lot... Bring it on man, I'll see what you can do...
Ski trip organized by UMIMSA!!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Chinese New Year Song
This is one of my favourite CNY song:
正月里来迎春花儿开
迎春花开人人爱
迎春花呀处处开
幸呀幸福来
幸福来呀幸福来
大地放光彩
迎春花咱们大伙儿栽
嗨嗨那胡呀胡嗨
合力培养勤灌溉
人人都把迎春花儿爱
无忧无虑乐自在
年华似水容易过呀
切莫再延挨
莫延挨呀莫延挨呀
时光不等待
迎春花咱们大伙儿栽
嗨嗨那胡呀胡嗨
春花永远为我们开
人人都把迎春花儿爱
无忧无虑乐自在
年华似水容易过呀
切莫再延挨
莫延挨呀莫延挨呀
时光不等待
迎春花咱们大伙儿栽
嗨嗨那胡呀胡嗨
春花永远为我们开
那胡依哟嗨——
Wish everyone on this planet a happy Chinese New Year!!!
正月里来迎春花儿开
迎春花开人人爱
迎春花呀处处开
幸呀幸福来
幸福来呀幸福来
大地放光彩
迎春花咱们大伙儿栽
嗨嗨那胡呀胡嗨
合力培养勤灌溉
人人都把迎春花儿爱
无忧无虑乐自在
年华似水容易过呀
切莫再延挨
莫延挨呀莫延挨呀
时光不等待
迎春花咱们大伙儿栽
嗨嗨那胡呀胡嗨
春花永远为我们开
人人都把迎春花儿爱
无忧无虑乐自在
年华似水容易过呀
切莫再延挨
莫延挨呀莫延挨呀
时光不等待
迎春花咱们大伙儿栽
嗨嗨那胡呀胡嗨
春花永远为我们开
那胡依哟嗨——
Wish everyone on this planet a happy Chinese New Year!!!
Friday, February 16, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
If by Rudyard Kipling
If
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
--Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you
But make allowance for their doubting too,
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,
If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much,
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!
--Rudyard Kipling
Saturday, February 10, 2007
France 2002 (10/11) - Impressions de France
I think I saw this video in the french village in Epcot Disney Orlando. The trip was just one month ago, but there's already this nostalgic feeling!
It has a hauntingly beautiful song too...
Sunday, February 04, 2007
A diarrhea of thoughts
So, the first month of 2007 is over. I don't know how many times I had mentioned this in my blog, but gosh, doesn't time fly?
Well, my quest for an internship in the states ended up in vain. I have to admit that it was painful seeing others got second-round interviews when I myself got none, because it left me wondering what went wrong in all my interviews. Was I such a lesser candidate? Hate to view it that way, but yeah, I have to accept my failure and think of ways to improve my weaknesses (Boy, that's so much easier said than done). Hopefully I will do much better in the future. Here I wish all of those who got second-round interviews good luck...
To quote Khoon Yu, nothing is going to stop me from getting what I want. Now that I have fallen down, I have to stand up fast and regain my bearings. I somehow have this weird sense that whatever I do now might bear significant influence towards my future life (duh). That's why I need to learn fast and change fast. Now there's this huge temptation to whine about my reluctance to grow up again, but I have decided to resist it for good :).
The weather had turned extremely cold for the past week. Temperatures went down as far as -20 degrees Celsius after wind chill, and it was just unbearable. Without the much needed natural layer of defense, my weapons against the cold were just my faithful Columbia Titanium winter jacket. And oh yeah, I felt that I had been eating quite a lot lately, but the nutrients seemed to have just vaporized into the thin cold air. My body appears to have created its own unique law - the conservation of mass. I bet it will take a lot of effort from me to deviate from the steady state (which is a mere @#$), but the law will eventually force my weight to converge back to the equilibrium. Geez...
Alright, this post is getting more and more random, and therefore it's a sign to stop. I should get a life instead of blogging, so that I can blog more about my life (!!!)
And oh yeah, one more random comment. I came across this quote, and I think it was rather brilliant and funny:
"My brain has two parts. On the left side, there's nothing right; on the right side, there's nothing left."
Cool huh?
Well, my quest for an internship in the states ended up in vain. I have to admit that it was painful seeing others got second-round interviews when I myself got none, because it left me wondering what went wrong in all my interviews. Was I such a lesser candidate? Hate to view it that way, but yeah, I have to accept my failure and think of ways to improve my weaknesses (Boy, that's so much easier said than done). Hopefully I will do much better in the future. Here I wish all of those who got second-round interviews good luck...
To quote Khoon Yu, nothing is going to stop me from getting what I want. Now that I have fallen down, I have to stand up fast and regain my bearings. I somehow have this weird sense that whatever I do now might bear significant influence towards my future life (duh). That's why I need to learn fast and change fast. Now there's this huge temptation to whine about my reluctance to grow up again, but I have decided to resist it for good :).
The weather had turned extremely cold for the past week. Temperatures went down as far as -20 degrees Celsius after wind chill, and it was just unbearable. Without the much needed natural layer of defense, my weapons against the cold were just my faithful Columbia Titanium winter jacket. And oh yeah, I felt that I had been eating quite a lot lately, but the nutrients seemed to have just vaporized into the thin cold air. My body appears to have created its own unique law - the conservation of mass. I bet it will take a lot of effort from me to deviate from the steady state (which is a mere @#$), but the law will eventually force my weight to converge back to the equilibrium. Geez...
Alright, this post is getting more and more random, and therefore it's a sign to stop. I should get a life instead of blogging, so that I can blog more about my life (!!!)
And oh yeah, one more random comment. I came across this quote, and I think it was rather brilliant and funny:
"My brain has two parts. On the left side, there's nothing right; on the right side, there's nothing left."
Cool huh?
Saturday, January 20, 2007
如三秋兮...
It seems like I had been through ages when it has just been only 2 weeks (?!). Not only the workload of the semester had kept me busy throughout, a lot of recent events had steered me to think over a variety of stuffs over the course of a mere 2 weeks. It was far worse than any roller coaster rides that I have tried so far; the turmoil itself was almost unbearable. In short, I was simply overwhelmed.
To write down the tumult of confusion and my emotional restlessness here was itself an impossible task. Right now, I have to thank my utmost trust in myself (or rather, my narcissism) for keeping me sane in the midst of my self-created quagmires.
I just have to live strong I guess, and it is about time for me to face the much dreaded adulthood I would say. As much as I hate doing what the mass crowd is doing and following the pathetic mindless pattern that everybody assumes is the only way of living life, I have to start being realistic and stop fantasizing. Well, patterns exist for a reason, and hey, you are here right now. There's no turning back...
So stop whining boy, it's time to get real.
Last term, I didn't manage to take a good picture of my room in Alice Lloyd. To make sure I don't repeat my mistake, I have photographed my current room, so that at least I will remember how it looks like in the future.
Also, the weather took a sharp turn and it was extremely cold during the past week (sub zero celcius). The freezing rain had caused glaze ice to form on trees and plants, forming a totally magnificent view. Such beauty of the nature was timely as it soothed my mind and reinforced my notion that beauty still exists in the nature. My laziness (not willing to venture out of my room to take good pictures) ruined the photo though...
*And oh yeah, happy birthday mum!!!
To write down the tumult of confusion and my emotional restlessness here was itself an impossible task. Right now, I have to thank my utmost trust in myself (or rather, my narcissism) for keeping me sane in the midst of my self-created quagmires.
I just have to live strong I guess, and it is about time for me to face the much dreaded adulthood I would say. As much as I hate doing what the mass crowd is doing and following the pathetic mindless pattern that everybody assumes is the only way of living life, I have to start being realistic and stop fantasizing. Well, patterns exist for a reason, and hey, you are here right now. There's no turning back...
So stop whining boy, it's time to get real.
Last term, I didn't manage to take a good picture of my room in Alice Lloyd. To make sure I don't repeat my mistake, I have photographed my current room, so that at least I will remember how it looks like in the future.
Also, the weather took a sharp turn and it was extremely cold during the past week (sub zero celcius). The freezing rain had caused glaze ice to form on trees and plants, forming a totally magnificent view. Such beauty of the nature was timely as it soothed my mind and reinforced my notion that beauty still exists in the nature. My laziness (not willing to venture out of my room to take good pictures) ruined the photo though...
*And oh yeah, happy birthday mum!!!
Sunday, January 14, 2007
New year new semester
So I didn't actually get a break. Maybe I did, but 2 days was all I got. After coming back from Florida, Ren Jie and I stayed in Chia Chye's Northwood apartment, a "happening" place with Voon Seng also staying there. Still suffering from post-vacation symptoms, I felt extremely restless, and had no mood to celebrate at all despite the fact that we had already entered yet another new year...
The winter semester started on Jan 4th. For this semester, I'm taking the following courses:
Math 422 - Risk Management and Insurance
Math 521 - Life Contingencies II
Math 523 - Risk Theory
Spanish 102 - Elementary II
and on top of that, I'll be working 20 hours per week, 7 of which are hours of a midnight shift in Shapiro Science Library (10pm - 5am). I seriously don't know what prompt me to work so many hours. Kiasuness? Desire to earn more money? Want to utilize my free time meaningfully? (Yeah right as if I have a lot of time to spare) I don't really know...
The first week of class was just terrible. I had 4 internship interviews in a week (which well, I don't think I did well enough to impress the interviewers), a 5-page law case due, and tonnes of Spanish coursework. Probably due to the stress, I somehow managed to lose another 2 pounds. Great...now I'm farther from my goal for this year.
This semester will be worst semester yet, in case of the workload. But well, I'm hoping that this is the darkest moment of the night, and that the golden rays will soon pierce through the my lightless life.
And on a sidenote, Cambridge is just awesome. I like it a lot, and it's pretty much the perfect place to stay. Pretty much because the extremely sucky internet connection ruins everything...
Oh yeah, and Happy New Year everyone!!!
The winter semester started on Jan 4th. For this semester, I'm taking the following courses:
Math 422 - Risk Management and Insurance
Math 521 - Life Contingencies II
Math 523 - Risk Theory
Spanish 102 - Elementary II
and on top of that, I'll be working 20 hours per week, 7 of which are hours of a midnight shift in Shapiro Science Library (10pm - 5am). I seriously don't know what prompt me to work so many hours. Kiasuness? Desire to earn more money? Want to utilize my free time meaningfully? (Yeah right as if I have a lot of time to spare) I don't really know...
The first week of class was just terrible. I had 4 internship interviews in a week (which well, I don't think I did well enough to impress the interviewers), a 5-page law case due, and tonnes of Spanish coursework. Probably due to the stress, I somehow managed to lose another 2 pounds. Great...now I'm farther from my goal for this year.
This semester will be worst semester yet, in case of the workload. But well, I'm hoping that this is the darkest moment of the night, and that the golden rays will soon pierce through the my lightless life.
And on a sidenote, Cambridge is just awesome. I like it a lot, and it's pretty much the perfect place to stay. Pretty much because the extremely sucky internet connection ruins everything...
Oh yeah, and Happy New Year everyone!!!
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Florida06
Our itinerary was as follow:
20-25 Dec - Orlando
25-27 Dec - Miami
27 Dec - Key West
27-29 Dec - Miami
29-31 Dec - Orlando
Universal Studios Orlando was our first stop. The rides were amazing, and I'm proud to say that I was on the extremely intimidating "Incredible Hulk" ride (although really, it's nothing too extreme). Still, that particular ride really dwarfed all the other rides that we're about to go to in the entire Florida trip.
Universal Orlando
A trip to Orlando is of course incomplete without an excursion to the Disney World. Surprisingly, it wasn't as boring as I had imagined. I actually had quite some fun in the theme parks. We managed to cover 3 parks of the Disney World - the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney-MGM studios. To pick out a single winner among the three parks is not an easy task; but personally I prefer Epcot the most. The Illuminations Reflections of Earth (fireworks on water with laser light show) was simply amazing; it was comparable if not better than the indelibly extravagant fireworks that I saw in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Soarin' in Epcot was also fantastic, and I love the fact that there's a "world" that consists villages of different cultures (Italian, French, Mexican, Chinese etc) in the park.
Magic Kingdom, Disney World Orlando
Mickey Mouse
After getting sick (for some it's literally :)) of the 3-D shows and rides, we set off for Miami, ready to bask in the sun. We were disappointed though, as firstly, the weather was not that good, and secondly, we found ourselves in a pros-den like hotel that provided amenities with suggestive messages on them. We did fine though, and managed to find some fun in a state park (Bill Baggs Cape Florida) cycling. Of course, we didn't forget the famous Miami beaches too, although I'd say that they're a letdown too as I've seen better beaches in Malaysia and Thailand.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
We drove further down to Key West, the southernmost tip of the United States for a one day trip. The driving was long, and we managed to stay there for a mere 2 hours before embarking on the journey back to Miami. The trip was nevertheless satisfying, as the weather was excellent and the mood was upbeat. For dinner, I ordered a dolphin . Don't shoot me yet, the dolphin wasn't the mammal dolphin, but Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus). It tasted like chicken, not particularly delicious in my opinion.
Key West
We did nothing much when we went back to Orlando except visiting the Kennedy Space Center. Well, it didn't make much impression as I'm not a big fan of rockets and the inner solar system exploration (in fact it was only moon moon moon...zzzzz). I am more fascinated by nebulae, galaxies, and superclusters. It's unexpected though that we managed to see a couple crocodiles lurking in the streams just right next to the roads in the vicinity of the space center.
Kennedy Space Center
See that gator (or is it a croc)?
All in all, the experience was magical, the temperature (not weather though) was amazing, and most importantly the company was good. Although in retrospect a regret remained, I would say that this is yet another wonderful trip in the states.
As usual, everything that has a beginning has an end. As much as I didn't like it, I had to come back to Ann Arbor and start all the unavoidable routines that always manage a few unpleasant surprises. Well, let's hope that this semester will be better. May dreams come true this year...
20-25 Dec - Orlando
25-27 Dec - Miami
27 Dec - Key West
27-29 Dec - Miami
29-31 Dec - Orlando
Universal Studios Orlando was our first stop. The rides were amazing, and I'm proud to say that I was on the extremely intimidating "Incredible Hulk" ride (although really, it's nothing too extreme). Still, that particular ride really dwarfed all the other rides that we're about to go to in the entire Florida trip.
Universal Orlando
A trip to Orlando is of course incomplete without an excursion to the Disney World. Surprisingly, it wasn't as boring as I had imagined. I actually had quite some fun in the theme parks. We managed to cover 3 parks of the Disney World - the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney-MGM studios. To pick out a single winner among the three parks is not an easy task; but personally I prefer Epcot the most. The Illuminations Reflections of Earth (fireworks on water with laser light show) was simply amazing; it was comparable if not better than the indelibly extravagant fireworks that I saw in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Soarin' in Epcot was also fantastic, and I love the fact that there's a "world" that consists villages of different cultures (Italian, French, Mexican, Chinese etc) in the park.
Magic Kingdom, Disney World Orlando
Mickey Mouse
After getting sick (for some it's literally :)) of the 3-D shows and rides, we set off for Miami, ready to bask in the sun. We were disappointed though, as firstly, the weather was not that good, and secondly, we found ourselves in a pros-den like hotel that provided amenities with suggestive messages on them. We did fine though, and managed to find some fun in a state park (Bill Baggs Cape Florida) cycling. Of course, we didn't forget the famous Miami beaches too, although I'd say that they're a letdown too as I've seen better beaches in Malaysia and Thailand.
Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
We drove further down to Key West, the southernmost tip of the United States for a one day trip. The driving was long, and we managed to stay there for a mere 2 hours before embarking on the journey back to Miami. The trip was nevertheless satisfying, as the weather was excellent and the mood was upbeat. For dinner, I ordered a dolphin . Don't shoot me yet, the dolphin wasn't the mammal dolphin, but Mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus). It tasted like chicken, not particularly delicious in my opinion.
Key West
We did nothing much when we went back to Orlando except visiting the Kennedy Space Center. Well, it didn't make much impression as I'm not a big fan of rockets and the inner solar system exploration (in fact it was only moon moon moon...zzzzz). I am more fascinated by nebulae, galaxies, and superclusters. It's unexpected though that we managed to see a couple crocodiles lurking in the streams just right next to the roads in the vicinity of the space center.
Kennedy Space Center
See that gator (or is it a croc)?
All in all, the experience was magical, the temperature (not weather though) was amazing, and most importantly the company was good. Although in retrospect a regret remained, I would say that this is yet another wonderful trip in the states.
As usual, everything that has a beginning has an end. As much as I didn't like it, I had to come back to Ann Arbor and start all the unavoidable routines that always manage a few unpleasant surprises. Well, let's hope that this semester will be better. May dreams come true this year...
So long Fall06!
After a grueling semester in Ann Arbor, it's time to take a break and have some fun. For the 2006's winter break, five of us (Jin Ye, Poh Yi, Shermern, Ren Jie and I) decided to pay a visit to the sunshine state - Florida.
My final exam was on the 19th December (4-6pm), and the departing flight was 7-8ish the very next morning. It was as if the recover time for the traumatizing econ 409 finals was not short enough; I had to move all my belongings from Alice Lloyd Hall to Cambridge House in a night. With the help of Jin Ye, Poh Yi and Ren Jie, we managed to accomplish the impossible. Million thanks to them...
We woke up as early as 4am in the morning to go to the airport. Although I just had about 2 hours' sleep, I couldn't help but feeling happy as I know there's sun and fun waiting for me right in Florida...
My final exam was on the 19th December (4-6pm), and the departing flight was 7-8ish the very next morning. It was as if the recover time for the traumatizing econ 409 finals was not short enough; I had to move all my belongings from Alice Lloyd Hall to Cambridge House in a night. With the help of Jin Ye, Poh Yi and Ren Jie, we managed to accomplish the impossible. Million thanks to them...
We woke up as early as 4am in the morning to go to the airport. Although I just had about 2 hours' sleep, I couldn't help but feeling happy as I know there's sun and fun waiting for me right in Florida...
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Sunday, December 03, 2006
David Oistrakh plays Sibelius Third movement
Listen to the part starting at 4:35. The passage I talked about in my previous post starts around 4:45.
London Philharmonic
Went to the London Philharmonic Concert on November 30th. London Philharmonic, an established orchestra is the same orchestra that performed the LOTR's original soundtrack. The program for that night was as follow:
· Liszt : Les Préludes, symphonic poem for orchestra, S. 97
· Sibelius : Violin Concerto in d minor, Op. 47 (1905)
· Brahms : Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73
Sarah Chang was the solo violinist in Sibelius' famous Violin Concerto. Early this year, Zhi Hua, a senior of mine tried to convince me that this violin concerto is a brilliant and beautiful concerto, but I did not think so even after listening to the mp3. Sarah Chang's performance totally changed my view though. The intro to the first movement itself instantly captivated me, and yes, it was good enough to give me goosebumps. There was also a passage in the 3rd movement in which the violin's melody seemingly soared beyond the limits of all instruments. The pitch was unbelievably high; it was very soft at the same time, yet distinct enough to stand out amidst the accompaniment of other instruments in the orchestra. In summary, the concerto was a work of genius.
I didn't quite like the Brahms' symphony though, as it was too long. Surprisingly, we did not get any encore performances that night. It seemed like an oddity for me, as all the other concerts I went for had encore performances.
Hopefully in the future, there will be more good orchestras coming to the U of M, and hopefully they include more famous works in the program. I would especially like to listen to symphonies by Beethoven (3rd, 5th, 7th and the famous 9th), and some piano concertos by Rachmaninoff (2nd and 3rd).
· Liszt : Les Préludes, symphonic poem for orchestra, S. 97
· Sibelius : Violin Concerto in d minor, Op. 47 (1905)
· Brahms : Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 73
Sarah Chang was the solo violinist in Sibelius' famous Violin Concerto. Early this year, Zhi Hua, a senior of mine tried to convince me that this violin concerto is a brilliant and beautiful concerto, but I did not think so even after listening to the mp3. Sarah Chang's performance totally changed my view though. The intro to the first movement itself instantly captivated me, and yes, it was good enough to give me goosebumps. There was also a passage in the 3rd movement in which the violin's melody seemingly soared beyond the limits of all instruments. The pitch was unbelievably high; it was very soft at the same time, yet distinct enough to stand out amidst the accompaniment of other instruments in the orchestra. In summary, the concerto was a work of genius.
I didn't quite like the Brahms' symphony though, as it was too long. Surprisingly, we did not get any encore performances that night. It seemed like an oddity for me, as all the other concerts I went for had encore performances.
Hopefully in the future, there will be more good orchestras coming to the U of M, and hopefully they include more famous works in the program. I would especially like to listen to symphonies by Beethoven (3rd, 5th, 7th and the famous 9th), and some piano concertos by Rachmaninoff (2nd and 3rd).
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Vi Veri Veniversum Vivus Vici
Cool line from V for Vendetta:
Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honour to meet you and you may call me V.
— V's introduction to Evey
Voilà! In view, a humble vaudevillian veteran, cast vicariously as both victim and villain by the vicissitudes of fate. This visage, no mere veneer of vanity, is a vestige of the vox populi, now vacant, vanished. However, this valorous visitation of a bygone vexation stands vivified, and has vowed to vanquish these venal and virulent vermin vanguarding vice and vouchsafing the violently vicious and voracious violation of volition. The only verdict is vengeance; a vendetta held as a votive, not in vain, for the value and veracity of such shall one day vindicate the vigilant and the virtuous. Verily, this vichyssoise of verbiage veers most verbose, so let me simply add that it's my very good honour to meet you and you may call me V.
— V's introduction to Evey
Go blue? Now we're all a bit blue.
Done with the second round of midterms, a Spanish oral test and a Spanish skit. Screwed up Math 520 I would say. The oral test went well, but the skit wasn't up to my expectation. Well, I'm done with it though, at least for this semester.
I got a new job in the Shapiro Science Library, working at the front desk. It is a 5-hour shift, and I will work for just one shift per week. The tasks seemed intimidating, with lots of stuff to remember. The student manual was a frigging 40+ pages long, and again my responsibility seems to run the gamut of petty office work. My supervisor is nice, but a seemingly demanding person. I hope I can hang on for at least the rest of this semester.
The resume-drop deadline for most of the companies was on the past Thursday. That means I was forced to face reality towards the deadline, and had to finalize my resume, write cover letter, and fill in some stupid personal profile stuff. TP even required the completion of a phone interview, which I am positive that I screwed it up by stuttering through the last part. In a sense I had everything settled for the meantime, but this is just the first wave. I shall not further elaborate on this shit before I start cursing and get depressed (Why? Hint: Remember the state that I live in? State of denial it is. Kerry was right, Bush lives next to me :D)
Watched THE game - Michigan VS Ohio just now in Trotter House. I'm "proud" to say that that was the first football match I've ever watched for the good 3 years I've spent in the United States. Well, not bad for a starter right? It was THE game because it was the clash of the century; it involved the greatest rivalry in college football, and both teams were undefeated before the game (which was the last game for the season). Sad to say that we lost (42-39), but this game kind of changed my opinion towards American Football. It doesn't look that stupid anymore, and in fact know I think there is actually a lot of strategies and skills involved in a game.
Thanksgiving is next week. We'll have a 5-day break, and as usual, I already know what will happen for these 5-days. I will waste my time doing nothing, and regret about that towards the end of the break. Same shit different time. Will I have the will to break the pattern? I think I already have the answer. Stupid question.
Going to hit the bed soon...without setting the alarm. Life's good just because of that. How pathetic...
I got a new job in the Shapiro Science Library, working at the front desk. It is a 5-hour shift, and I will work for just one shift per week. The tasks seemed intimidating, with lots of stuff to remember. The student manual was a frigging 40+ pages long, and again my responsibility seems to run the gamut of petty office work. My supervisor is nice, but a seemingly demanding person. I hope I can hang on for at least the rest of this semester.
The resume-drop deadline for most of the companies was on the past Thursday. That means I was forced to face reality towards the deadline, and had to finalize my resume, write cover letter, and fill in some stupid personal profile stuff. TP even required the completion of a phone interview, which I am positive that I screwed it up by stuttering through the last part. In a sense I had everything settled for the meantime, but this is just the first wave. I shall not further elaborate on this shit before I start cursing and get depressed (Why? Hint: Remember the state that I live in? State of denial it is. Kerry was right, Bush lives next to me :D)
Watched THE game - Michigan VS Ohio just now in Trotter House. I'm "proud" to say that that was the first football match I've ever watched for the good 3 years I've spent in the United States. Well, not bad for a starter right? It was THE game because it was the clash of the century; it involved the greatest rivalry in college football, and both teams were undefeated before the game (which was the last game for the season). Sad to say that we lost (42-39), but this game kind of changed my opinion towards American Football. It doesn't look that stupid anymore, and in fact know I think there is actually a lot of strategies and skills involved in a game.
Thanksgiving is next week. We'll have a 5-day break, and as usual, I already know what will happen for these 5-days. I will waste my time doing nothing, and regret about that towards the end of the break. Same shit different time. Will I have the will to break the pattern? I think I already have the answer. Stupid question.
Going to hit the bed soon...without setting the alarm. Life's good just because of that. How pathetic...
Saturday, November 11, 2006
A new look...
Now my blog is officially under google. Tried to make it look nicer, but obviously to no avail. Years of studying had apparently sapped me of my artistic talent...
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