Ok so I lied.
I did end up in the bookstore, and not even a secondhand one (I went to Dymocks!) and, well...bought a book. So what else is new.
In my defense though, I got a book that I thought might not be available any more in KL - We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver. I saw it years ago in MPH but hey maybe they ran out of stock right?
Of course, since the shopping bug has bit me (since January 2010 when I bumped my knee on the ground after toppling out of a roller-coaster in Genting - more on that later, remind me to tell you the story) I couldn't resist going into other stores. No I didn't buy clothes, which is what everyone wants to hear but I did buy a belt once at Harbour Town. It was 4bucks. I bought some pretty stationery! I got a purple to-do list notebook that folds down like a desk calendar. It's awesome. And a black and purple pen. And also some stuff from the Reject Shop - more stationery. I swear I wasn't even planning to go into Dymocks...it just happened!
Anyway, there is just too much to do these days, I feel like my head is going to go kaputs. Doesn't help that I got a Credit for an essay that I was hoping would get a Distinction. Oh well. Just have to work harder. It wasn't my favourite topic (ethical issues...euw) to write an essay on and perhaps I was a little de-motivated. When I love the topic I need to write on, I usually do well. Like when I wrote about Virginia Woolf. It was very exciting. I'm not expecting a Distinction for the second essay I passed up because I don't think I structured it very well but hey, miracles have happened.
I am going to watch Masterchef and eat lunch...then ARRRRRGHHHH...back to work. Damnit.
Two more weeks, chin up!
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Smiggles
So, I finished my essay. And now I don't know what to do with myself. I'm nearly done with my readings for class on Thursday. I'm ahead of schedule. I feel wierd!
Usually I'm busy not doing assignments and feeling immensely guilty while I not do them. Wow I'm suddenly on top of things.
Ok let's not jinx it. I've still got 9 assignments left. And not all of them are as weighty as the essay so I'm just putting things in perspective. I need to memorise lines as well because I'm a showgirl now!
Over the holidays last December I spent the majority of my time reading. It was beautiful really. I didn't on the tv set, I didn't go online, I forgot to shower sometimes. I covered a lot of ground but obviously I went to another book sale and brought back a carton full of books. I need a new bookshelf. Anyone with a spare please be a doll and pass it to me. When my parents came down I actually passed them books I had finished. I know it's shocking that I was able to part with them but I did it! I still have about 30 books with me in Perth though. Don't tell them that. Oh and I bought more. Geez.
Funny thing happened when I moved to Perth. In my first semester, I hated all things Australian just because I was that homesick (and deranged...not much has changed). I even boycotted Australian writers and in my head I made them out to be not worth my time. In one of my classes, I was introduced to Peter Carey and was forced to read one of his short stories. I liked it. But being the stubborn bull that I am, refused to pick up his books still. During my winter break last year, I was browsing the awards list on Wikipedia - I believe it was for the Booker Prize. Peter Carey was on the list for his book Oscar and Lucinda I believe. I checked the library catalogue - they didn't have Oscar and Lucinda, but they had True History of the Kelly Gang. I had heard of Ned Kelly but I was still a bit skeptical when I checked out the book. Nothing in the back cover really spoke to me. But as I struggled through the first few pages (it is written in 'slang' and it is quite difficult to read at first but one gets the hang of it quickly) and managed to pull through, I found that I could not put it down. His language was evocative and poetic, even with their odd slang use of 'chooks' (chickens) and other things. I quickly fell in love with the character of Ned Kelly (I imagined this really buff dude in my head covered with nothing but sheepskin on appropriate parts...oops) and the love story between him and his future wife was really intimate and breathtaking. When I finished it I didn't want it to end which is the feeling I get when I read a really really good book and then I realised I had officially lifte my boycott. But it was totally worth it. Peter Carey is now one of my favourite authors and I recently bought Oscar and Lucinda. Will tell you how it is.
I've also been recommended Tim Winton on several different occasions and I met a lady at my workplace who is friends with Winton (omg, how exciting!!!) and spoke highly of Cloudstreet. In her words, she said it was "the best book she had ever read in her life." I wanted to go out there and then and buy it but then I looked in my wallet. But money issues aside, the book is really hard to find, apparently because it sells out really fast. I shall not give up though, I will have a copy very soon.
Off to go shopping ( I will try and stay away from the bookstore...no promises though).
Usually I'm busy not doing assignments and feeling immensely guilty while I not do them. Wow I'm suddenly on top of things.
Ok let's not jinx it. I've still got 9 assignments left. And not all of them are as weighty as the essay so I'm just putting things in perspective. I need to memorise lines as well because I'm a showgirl now!
Over the holidays last December I spent the majority of my time reading. It was beautiful really. I didn't on the tv set, I didn't go online, I forgot to shower sometimes. I covered a lot of ground but obviously I went to another book sale and brought back a carton full of books. I need a new bookshelf. Anyone with a spare please be a doll and pass it to me. When my parents came down I actually passed them books I had finished. I know it's shocking that I was able to part with them but I did it! I still have about 30 books with me in Perth though. Don't tell them that. Oh and I bought more. Geez.
Funny thing happened when I moved to Perth. In my first semester, I hated all things Australian just because I was that homesick (and deranged...not much has changed). I even boycotted Australian writers and in my head I made them out to be not worth my time. In one of my classes, I was introduced to Peter Carey and was forced to read one of his short stories. I liked it. But being the stubborn bull that I am, refused to pick up his books still. During my winter break last year, I was browsing the awards list on Wikipedia - I believe it was for the Booker Prize. Peter Carey was on the list for his book Oscar and Lucinda I believe. I checked the library catalogue - they didn't have Oscar and Lucinda, but they had True History of the Kelly Gang. I had heard of Ned Kelly but I was still a bit skeptical when I checked out the book. Nothing in the back cover really spoke to me. But as I struggled through the first few pages (it is written in 'slang' and it is quite difficult to read at first but one gets the hang of it quickly) and managed to pull through, I found that I could not put it down. His language was evocative and poetic, even with their odd slang use of 'chooks' (chickens) and other things. I quickly fell in love with the character of Ned Kelly (I imagined this really buff dude in my head covered with nothing but sheepskin on appropriate parts...oops) and the love story between him and his future wife was really intimate and breathtaking. When I finished it I didn't want it to end which is the feeling I get when I read a really really good book and then I realised I had officially lifte my boycott. But it was totally worth it. Peter Carey is now one of my favourite authors and I recently bought Oscar and Lucinda. Will tell you how it is.
I've also been recommended Tim Winton on several different occasions and I met a lady at my workplace who is friends with Winton (omg, how exciting!!!) and spoke highly of Cloudstreet. In her words, she said it was "the best book she had ever read in her life." I wanted to go out there and then and buy it but then I looked in my wallet. But money issues aside, the book is really hard to find, apparently because it sells out really fast. I shall not give up though, I will have a copy very soon.
Off to go shopping ( I will try and stay away from the bookstore...no promises though).
Sunday, May 02, 2010
Say It With Me: Drama Queen!
Geez, I'm dramatic aren't I?
Didn't realize that until I read my last few posts. Don't even want to read back further than that, I want to cringe a little bit when I think about it.
Why is it so hard to read back on what you write? I'm having that problem as I'm writing for my huge creative writing project due in 3weeks. I have about 1,000 words. I need 4,000 more. And please don't look at me like that I'm taking 4 units this semester. Because I'm an idiot that's why. Oh, and also I'm racing to graduate by this year, I don't care what it takes!
By the way, I'm allowed to be dramatic now because I'm taking a unit called Children's Theatre and I get to play a duck. Yep, I'm not a tree but I'm supposed to be a cute, waddling, yellow, fluffy duck. I don't even know how to wiggle my ass (without some alcohol in my system). I am not going on that stage sober! But uhm, yea it's for children. I can't have tequila on my breath. Oh screw it, they're probably drinking more than I am right now. So, I am a Von Duck Family Singer and I get to sing a song (about ducks naturally, we don't actually have it yet so keep yer' fingers crossed!) and dance around in a showgirl kind of way. Get the feeling that this shouldn't be for kids? Yea. You should see our costumes too. I tried it on and looked like a really naughty french maid. Oh well, don't worry. I'm not going on stage without protection.
Right now I'm finishing an essay that's due tomorrow. I have 800 words left which really doesn't sound that bad. I was tempted to skip work but if you skip work you can't pay rent so that was outta the question. I now have enough for rent plus 10bucks to spend. Three cheers for my bank account! This is what happens when you work in a crappy Asian food cafe place with kiasu bosses who are really nice but are too damn cheap for their own good. I was cutting up onions and threw out a bit that looked dodgy and my lady-boss took it out of the trash and put it back on my chopping board. Lady, buy another bag, it costs like, I don't know, 2dollars? Geez.
What else - I have to workshop a creative writing piece and let my peers give me constructive criticism (rip it to shreds and kill my self-esteem). I have to submit a journal that is supposed to encompass records of my thoughts about 13 weeks of drama class. I've only done 1week. Oh well. I have to workshop a literary journalism piece that I've interviewed so many people for but I haven't found the perfect subject yet. Students can be really boring. I mean honestly. All we do is study, eat, sleep, binge-drink and wake up in the hospital. Where is the excitement?
My parents came to visit two weeks ago. Yea, time flies. It was so cool but I miss them already. I've been here for three years but this friggin homesickness refuses to go away. It's like a disease, I swear. I mean I like Perth as much as the next Asian despite having things thrown at me, but eh. Home is home I say.
I Dream...
Of nostalgia and Enid Blyton,
of mischief and twinkling eyes,
Of water balloons and sleepovers,
of Spice Girls and boy bands.
I'm still that kid and I refuse to grow up. Hope Dad doesn't read this. I'll get a job I swear Pa!
Peace to you and to you and to you. Now go finish your own essay and quit procrastinating. That's my job. Toodles.
Didn't realize that until I read my last few posts. Don't even want to read back further than that, I want to cringe a little bit when I think about it.
Why is it so hard to read back on what you write? I'm having that problem as I'm writing for my huge creative writing project due in 3weeks. I have about 1,000 words. I need 4,000 more. And please don't look at me like that I'm taking 4 units this semester. Because I'm an idiot that's why. Oh, and also I'm racing to graduate by this year, I don't care what it takes!
By the way, I'm allowed to be dramatic now because I'm taking a unit called Children's Theatre and I get to play a duck. Yep, I'm not a tree but I'm supposed to be a cute, waddling, yellow, fluffy duck. I don't even know how to wiggle my ass (without some alcohol in my system). I am not going on that stage sober! But uhm, yea it's for children. I can't have tequila on my breath. Oh screw it, they're probably drinking more than I am right now. So, I am a Von Duck Family Singer and I get to sing a song (about ducks naturally, we don't actually have it yet so keep yer' fingers crossed!) and dance around in a showgirl kind of way. Get the feeling that this shouldn't be for kids? Yea. You should see our costumes too. I tried it on and looked like a really naughty french maid. Oh well, don't worry. I'm not going on stage without protection.
Right now I'm finishing an essay that's due tomorrow. I have 800 words left which really doesn't sound that bad. I was tempted to skip work but if you skip work you can't pay rent so that was outta the question. I now have enough for rent plus 10bucks to spend. Three cheers for my bank account! This is what happens when you work in a crappy Asian food cafe place with kiasu bosses who are really nice but are too damn cheap for their own good. I was cutting up onions and threw out a bit that looked dodgy and my lady-boss took it out of the trash and put it back on my chopping board. Lady, buy another bag, it costs like, I don't know, 2dollars? Geez.
What else - I have to workshop a creative writing piece and let my peers give me constructive criticism (rip it to shreds and kill my self-esteem). I have to submit a journal that is supposed to encompass records of my thoughts about 13 weeks of drama class. I've only done 1week. Oh well. I have to workshop a literary journalism piece that I've interviewed so many people for but I haven't found the perfect subject yet. Students can be really boring. I mean honestly. All we do is study, eat, sleep, binge-drink and wake up in the hospital. Where is the excitement?
My parents came to visit two weeks ago. Yea, time flies. It was so cool but I miss them already. I've been here for three years but this friggin homesickness refuses to go away. It's like a disease, I swear. I mean I like Perth as much as the next Asian despite having things thrown at me, but eh. Home is home I say.
I Dream...
Of nostalgia and Enid Blyton,
of mischief and twinkling eyes,
Of water balloons and sleepovers,
of Spice Girls and boy bands.
I'm still that kid and I refuse to grow up. Hope Dad doesn't read this. I'll get a job I swear Pa!
Peace to you and to you and to you. Now go finish your own essay and quit procrastinating. That's my job. Toodles.
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