Time's up!

Its finally here, the due date of this blog! I don't know why, but I just felt like saving the last post for the last day, just to keep it as up to date as I possibly can with the going ons in my life, in and out of college. Classes went well today, as it was mostly laid back and not as mind boggling as they usually are. Well, mind boggling might not really be the most accurate description, but right now thats the only word that comes to mind!

All the assignments that I've had to hand in were handed in, in time, and I'm pretty confident I'll fare well when the marks are revealed. Don't get me wrong, I'm not egocentric, it's just confidence. I thrive on confidence, be it real or forced. As long as I'm confident, I'll be in the right frame of mind to do my best and put all my effort into producing the best work possible.

The midterm examinations are three days away, I never saw them coming this fast! I still feel relatively new at Taylors, it's as if I only enrolled last week, even though in reality it's now already Week 6! How time flies when we're having fun.

A little too much fun, to be precise. Contrary to my previous post, I feel like I really did slack off this week. Not to say that I didn't study at all, but I guess I know personally that I could have worked harder and done much better in my preparations for the midterm examinations.

But I guess there's no real point crying over spilled milk, is there? I still have time, and an ample amount of it at that. The weekend is going to be spent in front of my books and laptop, studying every single thing I have to study, more than once to get it imprinted into the back of my head! Hopefully the planned study groups at McDonald's would help me a little, I always find constructive feedback from others as the best form of learning and improving. I'm most probably going to be camping there with a few friends for the whole weekend, reading book upon book, lecture not upon lecture note, and completing tutorial upon tutorial.

I'm still not entirely confident in my Management subject, even with more time spent studying that compared to the other subjects. I need to start trying harder, as much as I can't connect with that particular subject, I have no other viable option except to ace it. To tell you the truth, I guess it's a good thing that everything is so hectic and in a frenzy now. I always procrastinate, and this time it's come back to bite me. Hopefully this time I'll learn once and for all that me and procrastinating should never be associated with one another ever again when it comes to my studies. Three days to go, only three days. I only have this to say, quoted from one of my favourite bands, Muse; "Your time is running out!".

Crunch Time

A week till the midterm examinations begin, a scary prospect, and a reminder to all of us that we have to up our game in this next coming week. The midterms are utterly important, as it will be our carry marks and the overall decider of how well we do in this course for this semester. Honestly, I don't intend on doing any worse than a CGPA of 3.8, so I guess this week would be the be all end all for me, whether I decide to let the laze creep in and effect my results or whether I persevere with my studies and go on to get that scholarship I'm aiming for.

But at this point of time, at the start of the week, the midterms are probably the last thing on my mind. Not that I don't bother about it, I do, but it's just that the amount of workload we have from assignments from almost every subject is piling up while time is running out. True, things would have been a lot simpler if I had decided to complete them way ahead of the deadline, but I guess I really work best under pressure. Deadline week, I call it. We have four assignments out of the five subjects we're sitting for this semester, and all of them are due this week. I've managed to complete everything in time of course, but its just the matter of checking to see if its the best work I can produce. I guess I'm a perfectionist in that sense, nothing less than my best will do.

As far as preparations for my midterms are concerned, I think I'm adequately prepared for it. Of course, it does pay to actually listen attentively in class, since most of the important information is explained during the lectures. Then again, I'm not totally convinced of myself, so I guess its cue me burning the midnight oil almost every night studying every subject and making sure I know all that I need to know, for nothing less would do me justice. Of course, all this would only be possible once I'm done with my assignments. Deadline week, followed by midterm examinations week. Why is it always so jam packed?

Hopefully this next week goes smoothly, with me finishing my assignments and handing in the best possible effort I can, followed by countless nights of studying in preparation for the midterm examinations. No room for error now, its either do or die for me. And in the state of mind I am in now, die isn't really the option of choice. Out of all the subjects I'll be taking, the only one that slightly worries me is Management. I honestly can't connect with that subject, but giving up and forfeiting the fight isn't really in my nature, so I'll try to concentrate harder on this particular subject over the rest of them. I will ace my midterms, I'm sure of it! Heck, a little bit of optimism can't really hurt, can it?

The Sound of Music

Music, the universal cure for everything, the soother of storms, the jester for sadness, the companion for loneliness. Yes, we all love music, maybe not everyone has the same taste in it, but we all love it nonetheless. It really is our best friend, our closest companion in times of need. Feeling sappy? Put in a Coldplay CD in the car player, wind down the windows, and take a slow drive, with no specific destination in mind. That's what I do, and trust me, there is nothing quite like it.

Musical taste is always a widely debated topic. Some people are so caught up in their genre of choice that they disregard anything good from other artists who dabble in other genres. I on the other hand, consider myself to be quite a universal lover of music. Anything good will do, whether its metal, rap, hip-hop, trance and etc. Below are a few of my personal favourite bands/artists that I go to when I need a mood upper.

1) Megadeth

My all time favourite band, bar none. Formed from the insatiable hunger to dethrone Metallica as the front runners of heavy metal by Dave Mustaine, this band always manages to hit the right notes with almost every single album. Their style mostly consists of melodic cum speedy solos with harsh vocals, topped by amazing riffs and melodies. They usually create songs focusing on propaganda, corruption, revenge, morality and the afterlife. Megadeth might not be a band for everyone to listen to, but they definitely know how to hit the spot with me.

2) Muse

One of the best British bands out there right now, Muse are definitely in a league of their own when it comes to genre classification. Their music is unexplainable, it's just...Muse? Vocalist Matt Bellamy's falsetto croons are a definite addiction of mine, there is no one else quite like him when it comes to vocals style and ability. Catchy guitar riffs coupled with amazing basslines and drumbeats, this 3-piece band still awes me till this day with their ability to create huge sounding melodies with only 3 members. A definite favourite, and one I think everyone should check out.

3) Coldplay

The best thing since sliced bread, as many have claimed. I'm definitely on of those many people who share the same thought. Coldplay have been a revelation since they first burst onto the scene a few years back. Hit after hit, they never seemed to slow down, always upping their game and rising to the occasion. Chris Martin's croons over an acoustic piano is my go to of choice when I need to clear my head or just dwell on something emotionally troubling. There really is nothing more soothing and heart-jerking than listening to a Coldplay CD in the rain, having a slow drive around the neighbourhood in the middle of a night. Try it, I insist!

4) John Mayer

Not only one of my favourite singers, this man is also one of my favourite guitarists, one of my idols in fact. Most people only know him for his mainstream hits that are played on the radio and MTV, but those are just the tip of the iceberg. Mr.Mayer is by right a blues player, and an amazing one at that. Check out his live concerts, where he has the ability to perform to his full potential and not be held back creatively by record labels and marketers. Stevie Ray Vaughan, the second coming?

Those four aforementioned artists/bands are just a few of the many that I hold closely to me, for they are the ones I'm able to connect to the most, the ones that manage to speak to me through their music. Whatever your music of choice, music can only be described in one word...magical. I doubt anyone would disagree with me on that statement!

Down the wire

Yes, that's how the title race in the Premier League is faring this season, right down to the wire. At this point, its clear that its a two-horse race between Manchester United (Man Utd) and Chelsea, with the remaining 18 teams just filling up the slots. Chelsea certainly hold the advantage with their 1 point lead over Man Utd, so in my opinion it's their title to lose. Though honestly, I think they'll go all the way and win their remaining one game to seal the deal, hindering Man Utd from clinching their fourth straight Premier League title on the trot.

Oh, did I forget to mention that I'm a die hard Man Utd fan? I've been one for 11 years, and the love I have for the club has never dwindled throughout that period of time. In fact, with each passing year, my passion and love for the club grows stronger and stronger. As die hard a fan as I am though, I'm still a realist at heart. And my inner realist tells me that the title is Chelsea's this season, they have the upper hand, and as much as I hate to say it, they are the worthier winners, but only just.

But who's to blame for Man Utd not winning the title this season? Is is the coach? Is it the players? Is it the outside factors such as their ownership problem and skyrocketing debts?

To me, I guess the only factor that influenced the outcome of this season was a little something called Lady Luck. The turning point of the season, where Man Utd clashed with Chelsea, was won by an offside Didier Drogba goal. Miles offside, for that matter. On any other given day, the linesman would have flagged, his goal would have been disallowed, and Man Utd would still have held their two point lead over Roman Abramovich's Chelsea juggernaut. But then again, who says life is fair?

Of course, Lady Luck wasn't the only decisive factor in the outcome of the league this season. Any team losing two star players, in this case Carlos Tevez and a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, would have had their work cut out for them. It didn't help that the only players they brought in were either injury prone, unproven or too raw. Micheal Owen played a part in the most exciting football match this season, scoring a last second winner against crosstown rivals Manchester City. Besides that, he has been spending more time on the surgeon's bed compared to on the pitch. Antonio Valencia, though yet unproven at the time of purchase, is seen by most as the success of the season. His telepathic understanding with Wayne Rooney was key in maintaining the pressure up top. Even so, he is no replacement for a player like Cristiano Ronaldo. Gabriel Obertan was the only other signing by Sir Alex Ferguson, and he featured in only 3 or 4 matches throughout the whole season, not really a promising sign of things to come from him.

For me though, it has been a season we can be proud of, for we have done better than most thought we would have. Losing two star players was only the beginning, we also went through an injury-ravaged winter period with only ONE recognised defender, Patrice Evra. The only reason we were even in the running for the title was thanks to the rebirth of Wayne Rooney. Often in the shadow of Ronaldo, Rooney has stepped up this season and taken over the mantle as the most influential figure in the team, scoring the most goals he has ever scored throughout his career in a single season. Finally, he's been showing the kind of goal scoring instincts and form that people worldwide have been expecting him to, for a person as gifted as he is.

It may still be early to tell, but all that remains now is one match, which would decide whether the league title stays in Manchester or whether Stamford Bridge gets to keep it for the next year. Whatever the outcome is, it's been a great season of football, as always. Now, here's to hoping that miracles do happen, and Man Utd clinch the title on the last day of the season. Glory glory Man Utd!

First Week at Lakeside

Well, it came and went, just like that. My first week at the new Lakeside Campus is over and done with. And as I mentioned in my previous blogpost, spending the week here might change my overall perceptions towards this place. Looking back, hindsight really has a way of coming back to bite you. After spending this first week here, I have managed to realise that there are quiet a few positives that may make the cons of this place worth the while after all.

One thing I really love about this new Lakeside campus is the utterly amazing library. Four floors of futuristic themed architecture, interiors, couches and everything else was quite a sight to behold when I first set my eyes on it. Though, the one thing I've noticed is that most of the occupants in the library are primarily using it as a spot to take naps, not studying! Walk up all four floors using the stairs and you'd notice that at every floor, at least half of the occupants would be sprawled out across the sofas or slumped on their desks, books nowhere to be seen. I guess thats one of the side effects of making the library a little too comfortable, I would know that personally. All I'd have to do in the library is sit down on any of the couches, plop myself down and next thing I know, I'd be caught in a deep slumber, only to be awaken by one of my friends.

Besides that, the other thing I like about this new Lakeside campus is the fact that all the elevators are really, really, really slow. Not really something that most people would be happy about, but I am, and there's a good enough reason for that. Slower than sin elevators force me to use the stairs to climb the floors, getting to classes. At least this gets me some of my much needed exercise. Might seem like a trivial matter, but going up and down the staircase everyday for the next two and a half years would definitely help me lose this tummy I carry around everywhere!

Those being said however, I now realise that there isn't really much else to shout about when it comes to the new Lakeside campus. Sure, some might say that it needs time to develop, and that it hasn't even been completely completed, but that's beside the point. As a whole, I think weighing in both the pros and cons have enabled me to realise that the new campus is a step in the right direction, though it may not be the best step to take at this point in time. There is still much needed improvement if it is to live up to the hype surrounding it, because honestly, there is nothing outstanding about this new self-proclaimed 'world class' campus. I'm not one to judge though, lets see how much improvement occurs over the next year or so. Whatever it is, I can only hope that this campus fulfills it's potential before I'm done with my studies here. Anything else, and I'd be really disappointed.

Behold, Lakeside!

Yes, the long awaited and much anticipated switch to the newly built (yet, not complete) Lakeside campus has finally arrived! The past three weeks at Leisure Commerce Square (LCS) have been amazing, so the Lakeside campus has a lot to live up to if it is to even match how good LCS was. True, the fact that it is a campus and LCS was just a building would normally mean that its a no-contest, but I'd beg to differ this time, as LCS was just in a league of it's own.

I've been here at the new Lakeside campus for only 3 days, and I already regret the switch, not that I had a choice in the first place though. Everything here seems to be such a mood killer, and I'm not over exaggerating here, I really mean everything!

It's so bad that the problems start even before we enter the campus! I really do not understand how they can build a campus in the middle of a residential area catering to thousands of students, when there is only one narrow road leading to and from the campus! Seriously, this is the part I hate the most about the new campus. I leave my house at 7.00am everyday, I reach the entrance to the main road leading to the campus by 7.30am latest, yet I reach my seat in class at 8.15am! It takes me upwards of 30 minutes to drive through a road less than 3km in distance, which is a major annoyance and source of irritance for me. I really can't understand how the people in charge of Taylors managed to neglect this aspect when planning the new campus.

On top of the extremely bad traffic conditions, matters aren't really helped by lack of a proper parking lot in campus. I mean, gravel parking lots which are occupied by stray dogs and cows, seriously? And to think that Taylors are thinking of charging the students for parking. Please, we don't mind paying for parking, even though by right we shouldn't be, but the least the management could do is to get real parking bays ready for us. By real parking bays I mean actual tarred roads, no sand and stone coupled with the faeces of stray dogs and the stench of cow dung in the air. Looking at it, the parking lot feels a lot like a slum.

The other source of annoyance is the cafeteria. Let me just put it this way; when you have 100 cows in your farm, with only one small patch of grass for them to munch on, things are going to get messy. Fitting in everyone into that small cafeteria, really daft in my opinion. True, they might say it's just temporary, but then why move us here when the facilities available aren't sufficient enough to cater to our needs? Why not wait another few weeks and have everything ready and good to go? I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I honestly think that everything about this move wasn't properly talked over and was conducted in a rush. Unfortunately, it's us students who have to suffer from all this.

Those are practically the only major downsides of the new campus. To be honest, I haven't had much more qualms as of yet, but maybe with a little more time here, I'd beg to differ. Lets see how the remainder of the week goes!

End of the Holidays

I've been wondering why its been so hard for me to make a post about my holidays. Everytime I try to create one, I just hit a dead end, nothing comes to mind, I'm totally clueless on what to write about. Lying on my bed with this empty 'New Post' box begging me to fill it up with words, I think I've finally found out why I've been having trouble posting what I'm doing for my holidays. Basically, it's because I haven't really been doing anything at all this whole week, or nothing out of the norm I guess.

I can't believe a week has just passed by, and class starts again tomorrow morning. Don't get me wrong, I'm really looking forward to going back to class, its a welcome distraction, but I can't help feeling like I've just wasted my holiday week instead of making the most out of it. Its like I live a life that's like a CD playing on loop, repetitive and mundane. After a while, you get sick of it and just eject the CD out to listen to whats on the radio. My life has been that same CD for the past 2 years, and it's getting quite repetitively boring.

Of course, my definition of wasting might be quite different from that of a majority of other people's. By most people's standards, I probably did do a lot during the holidays. Movie? Check. Drinking? Check. Out of the house the whole day? Check. Roaming around aimlessly in the car for hours? Check. Hang out with friends? Check. Doing things that go against my better judgement? Check.

So what exactly am I complaining about? I don't really know to be honest. I guess I just feel like I'm capable of more than just that? Everything gets pretty routine after a while, it becomes more of a norm, all the excitement is taken out of it. Frankly, I'm getting bored of everything, really fast. I've done all there is to do, more than enough times to make me sick of it. So, what really is left for me to do that would still give me that adrenaline rush?

I might be going a little out of topic here, but I don't really have much to write about the holidays, since I've been doing things that I already do every other day, be it the holidays or not. Not to downplay the things I've done, but I feel like this week has basically just flashed before me, without me achieving anything from it. The shooting weekend aside, every day of this past week has pretty much been the same old same old, being out the whole time or lazing at home, its a coin toss everyday to decide which one of those I'd do each day, not really much of a variety to the scenario, is there?

In a nutshell, my holidays could be summed up in this following sentence. Hanging out with friends way too much, spending up to five times more money than I should have, doing things I've done before way too many times and things I might not be doing anymore from now on. Yeah, that's basically the perfect summary of this whole week. Now, I never thought I'd ever say this, but thank god class starts tomorrow!!!

Sweating Bullets

Yes, the much dreaded holidays have finally dawned upon us. Before this I always used to look forward to the holidays, a much needed break to have fun and just relax before resuming with the busy life of pursuing 'academic excellence'. Strangely though, I'm really sad to not be having classes right now, since it was such a refreshing change over the usual 'sit at home and grow fat' routine I've been living for the past few months. Nevertheless, since the holidays are here to stay, for the next one week that is, I might as well make full use of it.

Last weekend, I packed my bags, reported into camp and along with around 120 other people, went to the shooting range in Jugrah for a whole weekend's worth of shooting competitions and practise. A little background here first and foremost, I'm in the Reserves for the Malaysian Army, so I have trainings and drills every first and third weekend of the month. Luckily, this weekend's training coincided perfectly with the one week break. I was really looking forward to it, as it would be the first time I actually get to fire live rounds on an M16 assault rifle.

We left for the shooting range in Jugrah from the Sg.Buloh Camp at 0700 hours, reaching the range only 2 hours later. The journey there was quite an experience, with around 20 fellow soldiers seated around you in the three-tonne truck, wind, sand, and even droplets of rain flying into your eyes the whole way. Upon reaching the Jugrah shooting range, we exited the truck and lined up to report in for the day.

Each of us have our own personal M16 assault rifle, which no one else can use besides us. As it was my first time shooting, I had to zero my weapon on the first practise session, to make sure the crosshair is synchronised with where the bullet hits after it leaves the weapon. Adrenaline kept everyone going for quite a while, ignoring the scorching hot sun and the severe lack of hydration. After lunch though, it was quite clear that the weather and dehydration were taking its toll on us. Everyone seemed a little less hyped up and were just trying to reserve our energy for the next shooting practice.

The first day went well, all in all I got a score of 108, with 37 of my 40 rounds hitting the target from 100 meters out. Not to brag, but that was the one of the best records for a first time shooter ever, I checked! I was elated, and went to sleep that night with a wide grin on my face.

The next day, the battalion chose the top 20 shooters from the practise session to go against the officers and trainers in a falling plate competition. The objective was to hit a metal plate no bigger than half the size of a laptop screen, from 200 meters out. As the names were called, mine suddenly popped out. I was in shock, ME? Top 20 shooters, out of around 120 people, most of whom have been shooting before? It took a while to settle in, I really didn't expect that.

There were four of us in each team, us going against the officers and regulars of the Malaysian Army who have been shooting for 30+ years. As the announcer asked my team to step out onto the range, I saw the team captain for our opposing team and my heart just stopped for a second.

"YOU?!" he said.
"Oh my god, I'm against YOU?!" I replied.

It was my father, who is coincidently the Commanding Officer of our battalion, and his team consisted of the top shooters in the whole battalion. What a way to go out, losing out to them on the first round seemed to be written in stone. While we were lining up against our targets, everyone started screaming out my name, urging me to beat my father's team. I was overwhelmed, but still, I didn't let the pressure get to me. 10 minutes later, I was still in shock. My team had beaten my father's team, the clear favourites! It was the upset of the whole competition, the favourite team going out in the first round to a team of newcomers.

As we were setting the weapons aside, my dad came up to me with a sly grin and congratulated me, saying it was in the blood. I laughed it off, I was still pretty sure he threw the match for me, but I'll never know I guess. We went on to lose in the semi-finals to the eventual champion's, but it was a good run for us. All in all, I was happy with what we achieved, being new to the challenge. Hopefully next year, I'll meet my father's team in the finals, and hopefully this time, he'll play fair. But then again, if we do beat him, he'd never hear the end of it!

A New Beginning, Pt.2

You're running through the leaves, bushes and tree branches, narrowly escaping the ravine in your pursuit for a way out. You keep asking yourself the same question, like a broken record it plays repetitively in your head.

"How did I get here?"

"How am I going to escape from this jungle?"

"Why am I talking to myself, and where is everyone else?"

You hear a thud and you end up jolting upwards on your bed, finally awoken from that weird, direction less vague dream as beads of sweat trickle down your nose. You look around and you realise what the dream was all about. The aforementioned jungle was just a piece of symbolism for your jungle of thoughts, your mind, and you being lost in it is exactly what it feels like, hopeless and fearful.

Here I am again, finally got around to doing my second post on this blog. Why the exaggerated intro, you may ask. Why not, I reply. After all, this post is about new beginnings. Its just that, lately there have been a lot going through my mind. On a personal as well as on an academic level, its so new and stimulating that I've still been trying to take it all in.

Lets get things started with the lesser worry of the two, my studies. I'm still in quite a culture shock at how classes are and things are done here. I'm so used to a lecture hall with 150 students listening and taking notes from a lecturer who, in all essence, looks like he hasn't had fun in 30 years. Everything here is so laid back and enjoyable that I don't even feel like I'm studying. It could be perceived as a bad thing by some parties, but not me for sure. I'm confident I won't slack off, not this time for sure. Its really refreshing not having to stay up till 2am every day finishing up Calculus tutorials and end up getting almost everything wrong when discussed in class the next day.

I guess I've finally found something I'm good at, something right up my alley. I can finally get rid of the 'jack of all trades, but master of none' tag that I've been wearing around for the past few months. I'm in my comfort zone here, nothing is going to phase me. Contrary to your thoughts, I'm not narcissistic, its just plenty of confidence of which I only ever really acquire when I know that something is right.

Thats one out of the way, now onto a more personal level. I have to admit, things have been going good, too good in fact. I just hope everything stays the same and hopefully more can be built upon this already good start I've been having. In all honesty though, thats all I can really disclose, because I don't really like spilling personal details out for the world to see.

But yes, as a new beginning, it has been better than anything I could have asked for, and then some. Sometimes things are too good they get you thinking, and when that mind of yours gets going, you come up with all sorts of possibilities. Yes, getting lost in that train of thought in a jungle is annoying when it gets you worked up, but I guess its a healthier way to kill time instead of watching Glee reruns, am I right?

A New Beginning, Pt.1

To blog about a new beginning, quite an ironic theme for my first assignment. Seemingly so it seems, since my last post before closing my previous personal blog was aptly titled exactly the same. Ah, a new beginning, where do I even begin? Of course, at this point of time, the most obvious of changes would be my enrollment in Taylors, my third institute of higher education since I finished my SPM examinations way back in 2006, of which since I have not really had anything to look back to and feel proud about.

Am I sure that I've finally made the right choice? Its definitely too soon to tell, but the initial signs are good, very good in fact. I've never felt such at home in a college, and its only been 2 weeks here but I'm already getting that vibe from this place. Hindsight always has a way of coming back and stabbing me in the back, but I don't think it would be the same this time. They say you know when you have something worth treasuring, and I certainly feel like I do have that exact feeling in mind.

Everything here just fits, perfectly in place like the puzzle pieces to the hardest jigsaw puzzle of them all, my life. Taylors has been the best thing to happen to me in a while. Its always been an 'either or' scenario for me, never do I get the best of all worlds. Saying that though, and from what I've experienced so far, Taylors seems to be the perfect blend of the right place, right course and the right people of course. 

Which gets me to my main point, the right people. During the 2 weeks that I've been here so far, I've made more acquaintances than any of my previous two colleges. Of course, I still have great friends and experiences from the previous two,  but I just wasn't prepared for the rapid uprising of my social life I guess, after being on the down low for a substantial amount of this year. Certain people have really been a joy to be around, everything just feels so comfortable, like we've known each other for years, wherein its only been 2 weeks in reality. Its great in that sense I guess, it makes life that little more exciting and joyful to live, having great acquaintances. And let me just say, I am loving being able to play foosball again, a passion of mine which was missing for more than a year. Of course, I'm still slowly trying to find my rhythm again after a year's hiatus, but hopefully I manage to regain my form soon!

Thats basically it for now, there has been so much change in my life that I can't possibly fit everything into one blogpost. We'll see how the next few weeks and maybe months go. Hopefully this is just the beginning of an amazing experience for me. It certainly feels like thats exactly what it's going to be!