Busy as a bee...

I seem to be more motivated to do things nowadays. I spent the whole night last night changing my CV from an Excel document to a Word document and updated it. I used Excel before because it was easier to line things up with the cells and what not. However it became a bit of a mess eventually so I decided to use Word and make tables to tidy things up. Looks much better now.

Got up early this morning and had a go at some exercise. Something I haven't done in a while. You see, many a time I start thinking of doing things. Taking the first step is the hardest but once I do take it then things flow on well. Last time I got into the habit of going to the gym. Then there was a jogging phase. In recent years though, my excuse has been that I'm too busy. Time to change that now. I started off with a basic warm-up routine. Then I proceeded to do some sprints up the stairwell. I started from the gound floor and was out of breath by the 5th floor. No worries. I'm severely unfit so it'll take a while before I get my stamina back.

After that I proceeded to get washed up and have passport photos of myself taken. I'll need them soon enough. I was quite surprised that they now use digital cameras to take the photos. I always turn out badly in these photos but this time it didn't look all that bad.

Uni was next. I stopped by CELUSA on my way to the office. That's the English Language Centre in my uni. Had to take application forms for the IELTS test. The new regulations for applying for a PR here is that you need to provide evidence of English competency via the results of the IELTS test. Since everyone will be rushing for it and to avoid the stress, I decided to take the test this year since the results can last for a year.

Aside from getting my IELTS application in, I went to the library to get some books to do my Ethics assignment. There were two topics to choose from but after browsing through both topics I could only find available books for the first topic; the ethical issues involved in stocking the Emergency Contraceptive Pill in a pharmacy. Got a total of 5 books from our library.

After lunch I went to Ramsay's to get the last available copy of the textbook I need for Ethics. Coming back I went to Adelaide Uni's Barr Smith library to get one other book for Ethics. Then I went back to office to finish off some work.

After work, I went shopping for laundry powder. I eventually bought liquid detergent as it was on offer and I hadn't tried it before.

Phew! I'm feeling bushed. Anyways, I seem to be getting a lot of things done within the day recently. There's a good feeling of accomplishment after doing things. I'll need to watch it so I don't burn out though. For the moment though, things are sailing pretty smoothly!

Ethical...?

Phew... Finally done with the week. Got a reply to the e-mail I sent to the University yesterday with regards to VSU. As usual, a very succinct reply. I hate having classes on Fridays. Many people do. Forget that though.

Today I had my first Ethics in Pharmacy tute. While I can't say much about the group itself; I was very happy with the way the tutes were meant to develop. Finally we get a subject that actually requires thinking and building arguments! We had a bit of a chat about RU486 and I just argued the pro-life case since none of the others seemed to be able to. We also had a discussion about the what makes a person satisfied in his/her job as a pharmacist. That led to a discussion about intrinsic and extrinsic motives. I argued the case that there is no way to actually define them since what I may see as an intrinsic or extrinsic motive may be different to how another person sees it or even exactly the opposite. It's fun to study a subject where most of the answers are a big gray rather than a mere right or wrong. I think I'm really going to have fun debating in this subject. Reminds me of how everyone in my college English as a Second Language class hated me because I used to question all their case studies and everyone was usually unable to answer. The clashing of minds and the variety of topics we will be discussing just makes my mouth water.

I've done quite a bit this week. Mostly work. It's very tiring. Yet, I have a feeling of self-satisfaction. Let's hope this passion for the job within me continues burning for the rest of the year!

The battles begin...

The past week has been really hectic. Since our first lectures were to be on Tuesday, I spent the Monday doing some work in office and vacuuming my apartment. My VP who was deputising my position went AWOL so I didn't have the keys to my office. It's a pain to get someone to let me into my office every time. Anyways, I've been bogged down by meetings and lectures. Tuesday was pretty full-on. Started the morning with a phone conversation with our lawyer. Had to go to Chancellery for a Student Misconduct Hearing and after that meet with a State Minister together with the Presidents of the other two Student Associations. After that it was back to uni.

We had our first Council meeting for the year on Wednesday. It went very smoothly. After all, we occupy virtually all the positions on Council! Anyways, the biggest problem we are facing is our university's inaction with regards to VSU. We've been having countless meetings with the University since last year but until now, have still not received any indication as to how they want us to reform in order to deal with VSU. It's getting too late. I'm not too worried about my position. It's the staff that troubles me. It must be so hard working and not knowing whether you will still have your job in the next couple of months. We can't delay any longer. If we have to shut down then we have to know now so that staff get enough notice. If not then we have to know as well so that we can get prepared with doing what we need to do to survive.

Due to all these facts, I sent an e-mail to the Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor and Executive Director of Finance blasting the university's inaction. Not sure how they'll react. At least I got legal advice before the e-mail so that I'm covered in case of any unwanted reaction. Haha!

It's tough studying and working at the same time; especially in a job that requires a lot of thinking. Nevertheless, I can't imagine how bored I would be if I didn't spend my free time thinking. Thinking, thinking, thinking. Fun but taxing.

It's finally sunk in that I failed to qualify for Honours. Quite surprising to be honest. I mean, when I see some of those who I know I'm better than getting it at my expense it's quite frustrating. Yet, I'm not too fussed. I needed Honours so that I can go straight to a PhD without having to do a Masters. My parents were hoping I'd get it too. Unfortunately, I failed. It's not common that I fail in something major I try to achieve. Nevertheless, there's always a reason for the failure. I should know that by now. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Everything major I've asked for I've always got. On certain ocassions, I don't get what I ask for. Yet, some form of "compensation" always comes along. Perhaps this failure is to allow me to concentrate more time in my position as President. Maybe something great will come along this year as a result of my hard work. Who knows? Only God knows. Yes, it is disappointing. But it's not everything. I just need to keep moving forward and working on what I have.

The troops seem to be rallying over the horizon. It's going to be a really tough year. At the same time though, it's sure to be exciting. I'm enjoying every second being President for the second term. The holidays have done me good. I'm refreshed and ready for action. So bring it on...

All things new...

Ok, so I stole the album title of one of my favourite Christian singers. Still it's apt to fit my circumstances. My flight from Kuala Lumpur to Adelaide was a smooth one. Everything went smoothly. I took a whiskey and coke (the whiskey identified by my tastebuds was Johnny Walker Black Label) and coke for starters and had another on the rocks during dinner. I thought it would help me get to sleep. I did feel drowsy halfway through the movie "The Brothers Grimm" but after it finished I just couldn't get to sleep. Not uncommon on long flights for me. Anyways, I reached the terminal and had nothing to declare to customs. Yet, after the x-ray they had to open up the box I so nicely sealed. It seems the machine gave a false alarm mistaking my contact lens solutions for food. Having the strings binding my box removed, I had to juggle carrying the box under one arm, having a laptop and my hand carry slung on each shoulder and lugging a large suitcase. Fortunately I managed to take a cab back with one of my friends thus saving us both the full taxi fare.

Somehow, when I entered my room things looked different. I'm not sure why. I've just been gone for about a month and a half. My dad told me I had to clean my fridge after finding out that I turned it off before I left but I just brushed it aside. Yup, you guessed it. The fridge stank like hell when I opened it and there was clearly some mold in certain areas. Enough to make you puke on the spot. So what I did, there and then I decided I'd go on a cleaning spree. First things first I unpacked and kept EVERYTHING! I never do that! I usually leave my luggage in the corner for days. This time I kept everything and dumped the box. All this I did while reformatting this laptop of mine. Then I went out and bought some lunch along with disinfectant and some water. I came back and scrubbed the fridge clean till you couldn't imagine how bad it was before. A job I'm quite proud of if I must say so myself! I wanted to clean the toilet as well but just didn't have the strength to get things going. Leave it for tomorrow.

I've finally finished installing programs and updating my comp. Everythings working real smoothly now. Went for dinner with some friends just now but towards the end of it I was struggling to keep my eyes open. After all, I haven't slept since Thursday night! I'll be off to bed not too long from now. Just typing this out while waiting for my food to digest. So what's new you ask? Well I guess some part of it relates to my laptop and my cleaning of the apartment till things look new. The other part probably those who are observant may realise!

I'll be back...

Well, my flight back to Adelaide will be in about 6 and a half hours. It's been fun, though not as productive as it could have been. Leaving the country itself isn't hard. It's just leaving the family behind. Still, I daresay my mum feels it more than I do. I can't imagine how it feels to see your son who's been with you for more than 20 years leave and not know when he will come back.

Despite my disdain for this country, I will have to return sometime or other. If not for myself then at least for my family. If my family migrated to Australia then I wouldn't have to ever come back. Maybe to buy cheap things. But that would be the main reason. Can't imagine many others.

Hope the flight is smooth. I hate these long 7 hour flights. It just saps the energy out of me and I get frustrated when I can't sleep. I just found out from my parents that I could ask for stuff like Bacardi and coke. I used to just take some beer and wine. I've been missing all the good stuff!

The weather is sure to be hot as hell. From what I read in the news, the temperature was so hot a couple of weeks ago that the new trams had to be shut down. My room is going to be like a microwave oven.

I'm guessing I'll have a lot of coursemates on the flight; seeing that classes start on Monday. I'll ask for an aisle seat so my loose bladder doesn't have to bother the person beside me every time I take a trip to the loo. I don't really care for the movies but it's a good way to pass the time since I doubt I'll be able to sleep.

Anyways, by tomorrow morning I'll be back in Adelaide. Goodbye beloved family! Goodbye detestable country! I'll miss the former but not the latter. Wish me a safe flight...