Another revelation...

Alright. So this time, the revelation is about religion. I mean, it's something we see everyday of our lives, is it not? Even if you don't believe in a God, or even the plural, we see those people who stand there on the streets, talking about the 'end of the world, save yourself now' and all of that. But really what does it all mean?

Well how this revelation goes is that I recently watched a movie called 'Saving Sarah Cain'. It's about a big-city news columnist who goes to the funeral of her Amish sister and becomes the legal guardian of her 5 nephews and nieces. And as I was watching, it occurred to me that the children seemed to really into their Amish religion. I mean, originally, the sister wasn't Amish, but she met a guy who was I'm guessing, and she obviously moved and changed her religion to be with him. But just like my revelation about love, what if she hadn't met him, hadn't married him and therefore she hadn't moved to the Amish community, her children then, what religion would they be following then?

Following this train of thought, does this mean that our religion is pretty much set by what our parents believe in? Because from birth, we would be exposed to that religion, their views, their beliefs, and we wouldn't know much about other religions. Meaning that from a very young age, these values are imprinted into us. So would this mean that our religion, the things that we belief in, they are defined by our parents?

Of course, a lot of people change as they grow and mature, and many even decide that the religion that they were brought up to believe in does not suit them and change religions. They might even forget about religion altogether and decide not to live with such beliefs. But then again, those who do grow up still believing in what they parents brought them up to believe in, their values are still defined by what their parents have taught them.

Now to add another layer of complexity, how about their religion being defined by where they live? Like for example, in Asian countries, the religions there are generally Buddhism, Taoism, and so on. Then in Europe, those religions tended to be Lutheran, Christianity, though this was later on, and so on and so forth. Does this mean that our beliefs and values are once again also defined by an external factor?

Taking into consideration everything I've written so far, even though our religion is supposed to simply be a reflection of your own beliefs and belong to you and your God/Gods, if there are these external factors to affect what you know, then how is the religion still 'yours'?

R.A.T.L.

Today I had a Revelation About True Love. Hence R.A.T.L.

Here's how it goes. I'd been thinking lately about true love, looking for inspiration for a couple of new stories of mine that I've recently started, and I realized something. People generally go out, or enter into a relationship with someone whom lives in the same area as them. They even marry this person, and if this is the case, then they usually feel that this 'one person' is the one 'true love' of their life. Which got me thinking. In what way would this person still be your true love then? Because if this way of thinking is 'correct', and that usually 'the one' for you lives in the same city as you do, then true love would be limited by the place where you live. But how is that possible? Love is limitless, is it not?

Of course I'm not saying that your true love will definitely be living in the same city where you live, or even the same country, but from what I have seen and understood, this is generally the case. Has fate somehow determined to make it easier to find love and help us on our search for love by narrowing down the places where we have to look? I highly doubt it.

I mean, people go on vacations and move to different cities, different countries even for various reasons. For work, for family, to run away from something, to gain something, and of course they meet new people and become close to them. They may even find their 'one true love' amongst these people.

But think about it. If they hadn't moved or holidayed there in the first place, they wouldn't have met that 'special someone' nor entered into a relationship with them. They might have instead have met someone else in the city where they live and believe that that person instead is 'the one' whom they will spend the rest of their life with.

Then don't forget that there are those that meet that 'one person' whom they are 'madly in love with', up to the point where they would be willing to say goodbye to everything they had known so far and move somewhere else, somewhere completely different to be with that person. It has been known to happen, but a question raised here is, even if you 'knew' that they were the 'special somebody', would you really be willing to go that far to move overseas just to be with them?

I fear this is all too confusing for my brain to comprehend. I must stop here before my brain explodes. >.<"

random spiel.

So I've had three pracs this week. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Unfortunately, I have also been really out of it this week (let's face it, when am I never out of it?) and of course you can all guess the rest of what has happened eek~

Nothing big has happened this week. Apart from crashing Monash on a whim this Monday with Mrs. A, accompanying on Tuesday, teaching theory on Wednesday, I discovered my blood group in Physiology, which was quite interesting, and I learnt that my parents and I have exactly the same blood group. Down to the Rhesus factor yay! (Means I'm not adopted lol) But there is this little bruise where the 'pin' pricked my finger to draw blood, but it doesn't hurt at all. As for what has happened today? Nothing at all...

Alternatively, I have recently become a fan on Jon Shmidt. his piano music is absolutely awesome. I recommend All Of Me, since you have to use forearm to play some chords around 3/4 way through the piece. Quite hardcore, and of course I've been playing it non-stop ever since I got the music. (Courtesy of Mr. T hehe)

And the weekend is looming nearer. A week ago to the day, I bought two more dramas, My Princess and Dream High. Dream High I lent to Mrs. A and I'm nearly done with My Princess. And my mum brought home this other drama for me to watch, something about the first female Emperor of China and her life etc. etc. You get the drift. But that's practically my whole weekend summed up >.<"

Added that my dad is going fishing for the weekend, leaving Saturday morning and arriving Monday night. I will have the whole house to myself blissfully for three days!! (Please note that my mum tends to go out Saturday night, and she has stuff to do on Sundays and Mondays, so I will not be disturbed from watching my dramas lol)

eek~

Yes I realized that it's been quite a while since I last updated. But as I always say, bite me. No, actually, don't bite me. Because you'll regret it. >.>

Okay. So what has been up in this depressing life of mine? Nothing much really, if you count the million movies that I have watched in cinemas lately. These include the following:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2

Super 8

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Kung Fu Panda 2

I get this feeling that I'm missing a few names there, but those are the ones that I have watched most recently...

So uni for me has officially be on for a week already. I really wish that I could just fast-forward through all of this, but then I would have only another 3 weeks until it would be time for trimester 3 for my uni. Why oh why am I doing this to myself?

Anyway, I've been fairly good so far, attended most lectures and if I did attend lectures, actually managed to concentrate and hone in on what the lecturer was saying, and I even wrote notes!!! Quite proud of myself for the mornings, however I crashed and burned in my afternoon lectures, which somehow turned out to be boring as hell and out came my DS to play pokemon with. >.<"

Which brings me to the fact that my DS pokemon came early last week in the mail, along with like 4 dramas that I ordered. It took less than a week for my international order from USA to arrive, which is more than I can say for my international order from China, which still hasn't arrived even though I ordered the stuff earlier from China than USA. Oh well, it's not urgent so I can wait.

So apart from uni all of last week, what else have I been doing? Well on Saturday, a church event was held. Amazing Race: Fungus. For the few photos of what fun we had that day, head to fb. (to those who are connected to me on fb) But otherwise, I had fun, and in the words of a close friend, I managed not to blow my top and get ultra frustrated. Overall, our group, (ASK. J) came second! I was quite surprised, since we missed quite a few tasks, and arrived at the end location late, so we ended up with quite a few time penalties, but with that result, I'm still quite stunned. xP And here I was thinking that we would come last...

Erm. There is probably more stuff that I could talk about, but I can't quite think of anything at the moment, so I suppose you'll just have to be content with what I have so far. I'm sure I'll update as soon as I think of something...

P.S. A few weeks ago during my short uni break, I went camping with my dad, one of my brothers and two family friends. Slash crayfishing. And yes, I was in control of my pyromaniac tendencies, because no, I did not burn the forest down. Nor did I burn anyone, or anything that wasn't meant to be burnt. But I did enjoy the camping, though of course it was rather cold, and the fact that we caught 3 crayfish, we were able to split the spoils evenly. So overall, quite a productive trip haha.

Aha.

Bleurgh.

Super 8

Exams have been over for nearly a week for me yet I haven't 'found' the time to post? So sue me.

I went shopping with my mum and aunt today. For crayfishing and camping this weekend. And went for lunch too. The food wasn't bad, and saw a family friend who just got back from Hong Kong. I'm so excited for 'cramping' haha xD and I managed to scab quite a number of dramas off my aunt too. Quite a productive day.

And watched Super 8. Incredible, and epically awesome!! I wouldn't mind watching it again. If only my budget allowed me to... xPP But it is good. I highly recommend to others to watch. And the kids are such good actors too!! It's amazing how young some kids start and are good at something. But I sometimes wonder if it's good for their process of maturing...

It's no use...

So. My first exam is in two days. On the day that is supposed to be a public holiday. Yay. Whatever happened to the long weekend? Anyway. I should really be studying, and I did do a little before, but now I'm not in the mood anymore. Even though the shadow of exams is looming over me and the stress is really getting to me.
I will be so glad when exams are over. Who wouldn't be? But I would be so cut if I fail any of my subjects, though I probably wouldn't be surprised if I did, considering the amount of work I put in so far, which is by the way, more than last year.

But I wonder if I will once again achieve the highest mark from my worst subject, like I have for the past year...

Procrastiblogging...

So there is exactly one week until my exams start. And what exactly, you may ask, have I been doing the past few days? The answer, unlike so many other students like me, no, is not studying, but instead is watching dramas and/or movies. A little bit of both actually. I know it isn't good and isn't right so close to exams, but studying... is something we all put off, and I am no exception.

At least I started studying earlier this time, like a whole month ago, but I have somehow relapsed back into my can't be bothered mode and put it off again and again. At least I actually made an effort to study... I think. I will get around to it eventually...

Multi-tasking. It's something us females are good at. xD

It's friday...

Okay. So don't even go there. >.<" My exams start in officially 10 days. I am so not prepared. Even though I started studying like nearly 3 weeks ago. I will persevere and get there eventually. Hopefully.

I'm so sick of exams. I'm over them. At least this time they're not in the city. They're at Uni. Which is a first, but it is much more convenient. And I think I only have one which is at night, the rest are in the afternoon, after lunch. Happy about that at least. xD

Alright. I think it's time to go and do some (more) study.

un-welcome?

So peoples of the world who live in the southern hemisphere. Today, is, all you all know, the first day of Winter. Of course, not that Winter isn't well received, some people do actually love Winter, believe it or not, but lately it hasn't ranked high for me. I think it's mainly just because Autumn was fairly cold, and felt more like Winter, and hence making me over Winter when it hadn't even started. Now Winter has started and there's nothing more I want to do than curl up underneath blankets with a hot drink and seated in front of the TV.

Where is my personal and VERY PORTABLE heater when I need him!!!
>.<"

Anyway, moving on, exams start in 13 days for me. Which means I have just under two weeks in which to study for them. Oh dear. It still doesn't bode well. Especially since I've been watching just a bit too many dramas lately...

But I am delighted to say that I am most likely, and probably going to start teaching theory. Of music. Even though the last time I did theory was like, nearly 4 years ago. But they're just starting from like preliminary, so I should be fine. Which reminds me that I'm going to have to do 6th grade theory if I'm going to do Licentiate... *sigh*

eating habits.

Okay. So I know it's bad for my health and bad for my body, but I simply had no desire to eat alright? And it wasn't like my stomach was grumbling that it needed food. Nor was I tired the whole day either. Hence I skipped breakfast and dinner yesterday. >.<"

True that I did have an egg for breakfast but that doesn't really constitute a 'big' enough breakfast to count as one right? So what does it matter if I wasn't even feeling hungry, and I didn't feel like eating either? And somehow time managed to pass until around after 1pm, and I was a little hungry. So I had some fruit, and then ate lunch at like 2pm. It was a fairly big lunch, and so as you can guess, I skipped dinner. It wasn't like I was starving or anything, and eventually I forgot about eating until it was nearly time to sleep. And eating within an hour or so before sleeping doesn't really appeal to me, so as a result, I didn't eat anything. Surprise surprise.

Again, it's just like what's been happening lately, maybe part of it is to do with all the stress of final assignments due and having to study for exams and what-not that is changing my eating habits. I don't know why and I know it's unhealthy, but I can't help it if I'm simply not starving alright?

Or is it simply because I'm sick?

so soon?

So. From today, there are still 18 days until exams start for me. And another 5 days after that until I finish them. Eeek~ I can't believe it actually. At least I have already started studying. I'm more than half-way through physiology topics, (5/8 yea!) but I still have three other subjects to get through (oh no!)

Anyway, so what's been up lately? Nothing really I suppose. Unless you count the addition of a younger brother in my 'family', and the proposed addition on a caucasian (yes Jiejie, I'm looking at you xD) and the put forward older brother, just waiting for him to agree now, there hasn't been much else.

True as it is that as I've been studying, I've also returned to my drama watching times, and oh dear, that doesn't bode well for my exam study... xP But somehow I have learnt to control myself (to a certain extent), and I have at least managed to fit in some study.

Now all that is left I suppose is to continue studying, which I will attempt to do so with much enthusiasm and watch that I don't spend too much time doing things that are currently unnecessary and can be done later, like after exams. That's it for today xD

how life passes~

Ever had those times when you suddenly realize that a whole lot of time has passed and you don't even remember how you passed those days? Well lately I've felt like this a lot. I mean, it's already, (nearly) halfway through the year, and I haven't accomplished anything. Nothing of note anyway. Which made me realize, that I'm pretty much already halfway through my degree, (of this year and of my course actually eek~) everything still feels the same.

Exams are in one month. Less than a month actually. I will be finished by this day next month. Which, in a way, seems like a fairly long time, but at the same time, I should really get started on studying for them. And I told myself that I was going to start studying earlier, and (hopefully) achieve better marks for my exams than I did last year. (Which were fairly dismal in my opinion... >.<")

But as of right now, I am content to continue taking a little break from the stress of having assignments, since mine are all done and handed in!!

I PROMISE I SHALL START STUDYING FOR MY EXAMS SOON!!!

today is sunday.

So. The past few days have been fairly uneventful. Nothing much is coming up, and nothing much has passed. Unless you count the realization that mid-years are next month. I really should start studying for them, but as always, I feel that a month is quite a long time and that I still have heaps and heaps of time to prepare.

If only this was the truth. But it could be worse. I could be planning not to study at all, but I will. Somehow, I will bring myself to sit down, open my textbooks and concentrate. But I find it hard these days. Is it because everything seems to blend into each other, so I lack the motivation (as my friend puts it) to simply do anything at all?

Gloomy

So I've been a little 'I can't be bothered' lately.
Bite me.
Have you ever had those times when the weather just happens to reflect your current mood?
Today is one of those days.
Overcast, cloudly, dark.
COLD.
I'm somehow a little bit happy, yet not.
At the same time.
Does that make sense?
Can you understand what I'm feeling at this moment in time?

A never-ending circle...

And once again.
Another day has passed.
Another day wasted.
Gone down the drain.
When does this cycle end?
Until the end of days?
Or simply never?

It's nearly the end...

I don't know why.
I don't know how.
I don't know when.
But I simply don't care.
I've been that way for the past few weeks.
Added my appetite's been off lately too.
It's just weird.
And yet.
No surprises here.
I don't care anymore.

ZZZZzzzzzz...

It's only 9:30 in the morning, and I'm already falling asleep.
Once again.
Why is it that most of my male lecturers have voices which make me sleepy?
I'm serious that within 5 minutes of the lecture starting, I'm already nodding off.

Anyway.
Mum is leaving tomorrow morning.
Dad is leaving the morning after.
The whole house to myself for 4 days!
It's not much, (comparatively), but it's enough.
But I think I'm going to spend friday night at my aunt's.
Just because I feel like it.
xD
And the only thing I'll be doing it watching dramas all weekend.
I'm gonna love it!!!

I'm really sleepy now.
I'm only updating right now so that I don't actually fall asleep in my lecture.
And for something to do.
>.>

Scream 4 tomorrow night.
Sleep-over.
Get to see some people whom I haven't seen for a while.
I'm excited.
Simply can't wait.
But I'll have to get through two midsems first...

wowiee.

So.
I'm actually going to make an effort to post.
Since I can't find a uni computer to print off practice questions for study for my tests coming up.
Next Thursday actually.
2 of them.
Not to mention the practical reports that I have to hand in.
On Monday.
But I've practically finished one.
Just have to type it all up.
>.<

So yesterday.
Malaysia Kitchen.
It was alright I suppose.
Laughter all around.
And I really loved the pillow I had to lean against as I was eating.
Went to Safeway, bought ice-cream and lollies.
Then of to Glor's house.
To mix the ice-cream and lollies.
Criticize/laugh at Glor's crazy goldfish.
And listen to Bonnie's frenzied barking after we let her out.
But it was great catching up with everyone.
Hoping to see everybody this Sunday!!

Ok.

I'm so sick of everything.
Tired of all this drama.
Why is everything so complicated when in reality it's all so simple?

But apart from that, at least there is something to look forward to.
More composing this coming Sunday!!!
I can't wait.
xD
And working on new songs.

Reading week next week.
I don't have to go to uni Mon, Tues or Thurs.
Wed I have a prac.
And Fri I might not go to uni.
Or I might for my tute...
I'll think about it later to the date.

Well...

Physiology mid-sem test today.
I'm over it now.
It was alright though.

So now what?
Easter is coming up soon.
Dad's going fishing.
And Mum's going to Sydney.
Have the house to myself for 4 days!
Woot!!

Elias Yao~

So, as the title of this post goes.
This is about my nephew.
An adorable bundle of hilarity.
He has a habit of asking why.
However, as I put it, at least he hasn't learnt 'how' yet. xDWe all know that he's going to be a heartbreaker when he grows up...Who loves Mario???This is one of my favourite photos of him. So far. Isn't he so cute????Elias at daycare.Do you know how hard it is to get him to stand still and take a decent picture???Here's a few professional photos taken of Elias:One thing else you might like to know.
He can't say my name properly.
So he calls me Aunty 'Vana.
I miss him already...

1/1/2011

Most people should know by now.
My second oldest half-brother got married.
After seven years of dating.
So here is the view where the wedding took place.
Beautiful, isn't it?
A simple wedding is rather catchy, don't you think?
Especially if it took place in Hawaii...
My nephew had a fascination with the decorations, but we'll get to him in another post...
Here we have the happy couple:
Congratulations Ben and Jess!!
They even wore matching 'shoes'.
How cute. xD
Look what he's playing!!
Later that day...
Happy Hour!!
Unfortunately, the legal age over in USA is 21, so I was unable to drink anything containing alcohol.
Boo-hoo.
The food was fabulous.
The cake so adorable.
Overall, in retrospect. Even though it was a simple wedding, with around 20 people in attendance, it was a memorable day. Added they got married on New Years' Day!!!
And my birthday five days after.
But that's nothing compared to the rest of my holiday... >.<

Hawaii

So I promised a friend I'd try and post about my holiday.
Well for those who don't know, my second-eldest step-brother got married.
And yes, the ceremony was in Hawaii.
So here's a little bit of blue sky, golden sand and ocean view for you.
And a random palm tree. But please ignore the random person.
They just happened to be there.
And yes, I took all of these photos shown here.
This is the house that we stayed in.
The TV was MASSIVE!!! I somehow hope (wish) that one day I might own a house like it.
According to reliable sources, these fields were planted with taro.
Who loves taro??? I do!!!
Who can spot the double rainbow???
There were random roosters and chickens everywhere.
There's a story behind it, but I'll leave it for another post.
And I'll leave you with a few flowers just for fun.
There will be more posts forthcoming about my holiday.
But I'll get to those another day...

useless.

Do you know those days when you really can't be bothered?
Well today has been one of those days.

I didn't want to attend my 9am lect.
But I went just for the sake of going.
>.>

Then I had a prac after that.
Total bludge.
And I already know what mark I'm getting for it.
>.<

An hour break.
Not that we did much anyway.
=="

2pm lect.
Spent the whole time reading non-lect stuff.

What a waste of a day.

Hmm...

So it's been a while.
Not that I really care.

So what's been happening lately?
Been back in Melb for a month.
Already eek.
>.<

Uni started two days ago.
Stressing about textbooks.
And how much they cost...

Trying to keep my resolution.
Of actually concentrating in lectures.
And studying regularly.
Meh.

Watched Resident Evil: Afterlife.
Finally.
And Center Stage: Turn It Up.

Realizing I haven't posted pictures from my other camera of USA yet...

So much to do.
So much time to do it.
Simply too lazy.
>.>

2nd last stop.

So I have finally arrived in a land of ice and snow.
Chicago.
I'm excited.
Haven't been here for like nearly 10 years.
So obviously I don't remember much.

Going to take lots and lots of photos.
Play in the snow.
Enjoy my last two weeks of America.
But I can't wait to get back to the summer sun.
xD

ALRIGHT!!!

So I haven't updated in a while since I've arrived back in San Diego from Hawaii.
Bite me.

But on the other hand.
My brother who recently got married (and his wife) bought me a Nintendo DS.
And two games whilst they were at it...
But today we went out and I bought four more games.
Making six in total.
I'm so excited!!!

So tomorrow is the first day of our road trip to San Francisco.
We'll also be visiting Sacramento whilst we are there.
And mum and I will make a stop in Chicago as well.
I think.