Just another semester.

I think my latest blog post was in September. How time flies. I always say this phrase with a hint of remorse because I always do not think that I have utilized my time wisely. However, I never change.

So the first semester of my second year of university has ended. What have I learned? I can't tell. It may be due to my lack of interest in the stuff which I am studying, or it could be just my own problem, but I tend to not remember all the crap which I have studied, even when I have studied hard. I wonder if there is a worm inside my brain slowly eating away all my wisdom.

I have been feeling uncertain lately. I want to apply the student exchange program and I want to go to places like Spain, Argentina, Venezuela, or other exotic countries. I want to try something new. However, I always end up pondering upon the same problem - finances. It's not gonna be cheap, even my parents say so. Finance has not been good in the family. My brother is starting college soon. The costs of living are steadily increasing both in Malaysia and in Hong Kong. There is no room for me to even spend slightly more lavishly over here, let alone traveling to Venezuela to study.

Such a bummer.

I don't really know what I can do right now, other than working out a budget. I will never know whether I can afford an exchange program unless if I work out my budget. At the same time, I am greatly demotivated because I know most probably I will not be able to afford it. Even if I could, I will have to live on a tight budget, which kills the joy of an exchange program - who does not want to have the liberty to spend and play and enjoy life when going for an exchange!

But what the hell.

Now now, I need to really do something which will lift myself up. Physically and emotionally. I am working in a job which I do not really like (come on, I really don't have any talent at web-designing, can't you tell?), I have to endure this cold weather, and I have nothing else to talk about.

I guess I shall make something to talk about.

Happy Birthday Mommy!

Just a quick update before I go to tutorial in a short while.

I haven't had an outlet to let my feelings out so I guess I will do it here.

Yesterday was my beloved mother's birthday. And once again, I could not spend it by her side. In fact, it has been two years in a row that both her sons could not celebrate her birthday with her. It was very sad for me because I would really want to be by her side. Especially after coming here, I know how to appreciate my family much more. (Here as in Hong Kong)

But I sent her a sms early in the morning. Her reply almost made me cry. “谢谢 你们健康快乐平安 我就好了” Her wishes are so simple. Just for us to be happy. And yet, I've been under some degree of stress level ever since I got here. I feel like I have disappointed my mother because I couldn't be happy and her message really awakened me. I am pretty sure that I will get overwhelmed by the stress all over again soon. But I shall look at her messages once in a while, and remember that she will always support me!

Later that night, we skyped. And she looked so happy eating a tiramisu cake. I was so so happy to see her happy. She was smiling nonstop and there is nothing else that I want more in this world other than that. Then, she sent me another sms “你们各奔东西。。。。。。要多保重啊！” I am so touched and speechless.

I love you, mother.

Catching Fire & Mockingjay.

Two sequels to The Hunger Games. I've finally finished reading them! It took longer than I have anticipated. Probably it was because I was not familiar with both these two plots.

Catching Fire is significantly duller than the first book. Suzanne Collins spends too many pages describing unimportant details at the beginning of the book. This is compensated with many elements of surprise towards the end, which, to me, really redeems the initial boredom of the book. 

Mockingjay is the part where, obviously, all the big pictures are revealed. I have noticed that some tiny details were left unexplained, either intentionally or not, and these unnoticed details bug me. I couldn't help but sense that there is a rush to finish the book, as if the plots and the turnings of events are not thought through. And, I especially dislike the conclusion to the "major event". Quite a lackluster. Although I appreciate how Collins does not make the main character too invincible, she appears to be too vulnerable! Too volatile, even. And, the book is shockingly too dark to my tasting. I definitely wasn't expecting the last book to be so...twisted. I actually felt slightly gloomy right after I ended the last page.

Well, hopefully when these two books are shot into movies, the writers are allowed to improve the plot.

One Lump Sum. Till June 27th.

Though my life is pretty interesting as it is, I need something else to spice up my life.

Anyway, for the past few days...

• I sorta of finished a series called Brothers and Sisters. It's a drama about family and family values and all other matters related to this family. It is probably a typical American family which I definitely never have. But I very much envy the kind of relationship these characters have with each other. Granted, this is a fictional drama and absolutely nothing portrayed by this drama would remotely represent the real kinds of families in America, but one can dream? Though it is a noisy, constantly bickering family, nevertheless, they communicate, they interact, and they talk, which is more than enough for what I can say for some families.
• Watched This Means War. Well I tried a couple of other movies before this, such as Zero Dark Thirty and something else. But I could not withstand the seriousness in those movies and I needed something to humor me. The brotherly romance between Tom Hardy and Chris Pine is, in my opinion, a highlight in TMW. And I definitely appreciate the British accent, given how I am trying to pick up on, and am failing miserably.
• I finished The Hunger Games, the book, in one night! It took me roughly 6 to 7 hours and I had to read until the wee hours in the morning but alas, I am done! It is so good! It's either due to the fact that I kept picturing Jennifer Lawrence and that dude (Peeta) when I read or, I've known the story line and I found it interesting enough to keep me reading. But I plan on continuing with the rest of the series!

June 24th

I am no longer homeless in Hong Kong!

I GOT INTO MORRISON HALL!

I am so happy to receive this email! I have been worried for quite a while but LUCKY ME!