Monday 28th February 2005

toilet rolls

Oh, the angst of a poor research student. My stipend has been stopped for a couple of months due to some delays, and it seems the earliest I can get my meagre sum of livelihood is by March. haha... guess it's time i tighten my belt and go on a diet. This is the time one grows envious of those big earners that bring in $20-30K a month. Although, to be honest, I always believe big earners truly deserve their big bucks, as they have been daring enough to take risks and smart enough to work efficiently and often are hardworking enough to spend bout 14 hours per day hard at work.

Anyway, back to the issue at hand. toilet rolls. I read somewhere, how frustrated people get at previous toilet users that finishes up the roll, leaving an empty roll behind, or slightly more annoying, leaving just one or two squares of papers behind, hanging precariously on the brown bottom. Enough as decoration, but hardly enough for anything else. I myself totally agree with this. I mean, sheesh, a host should always keep his/her home comfortable for themselves and their guests. Being fussy when it comes to things like this, I usually keep and extra roll in the loo when I feel that the one in the drum is almost finished.

But then again, wat if you are the guest of somebody elses' home? I mean, the toilet is used so frequently, the home owner might not have realized that it has run out. In incidents like this, should you point it out? What if, for instance, you don't know that person that well?

The same problem is when in public. When there is no more roll left, one can only resort to one's own supply of tissue, or, when in not such a rush, hunt for another washroom. haha... I had one experience of forgetting to bring tissue and lining up on a couple of washrooms at various places until finally finding one with a roll (actually, i grabbed a few from a box before entering). Do guys have a much easier time ? hmm...

currently reading: Chasing Men by Edwina Currie (story bout a 50 year old divorcee trying to find herself again after 20 years of marriage.)

Just finished reading: Till Death Do Us Part by Kate White & Calypso Magic by Catherine Coulter

Friday 25th February 2005

Mosquitoes terror!

*scratch scratch* Darn it... I have hoped my days of being hunted and stung/bitten by mosquitoes were over when I grew up, but lately, they seem to be coming back in droves. Similar in size to previous ones, but as vicious as ever.

The terror begun when i went back home for a week (a post confirmation celebration). Was started awake a few times at night by the buzzing, and the great itch on all parts of body not protected by the blanket. This is when one gets a great joy smacking a mosquito down and smashing it to bits. The more dead ones, the merrier. Label me as a heartless person all u want...

After a few nites of this horror, i think i begun hallucinating non existing mosquitoes and scratching at phantom bites, waving away invisible insects. Thank God for mosquito repellent! Although, why they don't last more than a nite, i wonder.

When I got back to my flat, i thought the days of horrors were over. Man, was I dissappointed. Those annoying flying insects must have been having a worldwide comeback. Was bitten again mercilessly for a couple of nights. Oh Lordy, please get rid of 'em asap. Why do they exist in the first place? They serve no function to the eco-system as far as i can tell, except maybe as food for lizards. But lizards have many other stuff to feast on. *ponder..ponder...* Ah well, until then, let's just be thankful for mosquito repellents. *sssss sssss sssss*

Tuesday 22nd February 2005

a tribute to Rurouni Kenshin

Having spent almost all my working hours the past 7 weekdays to watch all of it, i have finally accomplished it. I have finished watching the 95 episodes of Rurouni Kenshin. The 1996 anime series that first introduced me into the anime world. *muah-ha-ha-ha-ha*

As usual, after an intense chase of a good show, i'll get this high, that will either slowly dissipate like the gentle spiralling of leaves on a windy autumn afternoon or immediately plunge me into a pool of cold water, shivering myself awake from the euphoria and sending me to a few minutes of mourning for the end of a good flick.

My ears are still ringing from Himura Kenshin's favourite phrases. He loves to end his sentences with "... de gozaru yo", and he is always calling his lovely lady "Kaoru-dono". What I love most bout him is when he is playfully confused and with bug-like big eyes, and a fore-finger pointing to his face, he says "oro?" or "oro-oro?"

Monday 21st February 2005

latest cd purchase

Went for a lunch with my uncle, aunt and my flatmate HL yesterday. They were real nice to drop us in the city for a shopping spree. I should really take more effort to keep in contact with my relatives. *note down here*

HL is also so kind to help me scorse around for a suitable pair of sandals. Too bad the comfortable ones are not girly enough for skirts whereas the ones that look good are too uncomfortable. This is the time when one thinks of becoming a shoe/sandal designer. I recall seeing an ad somewhere asking people to design a pair of shoes for a competition. Too bad these things are usually not that suitable for the artistically impaired ones like myself. Have u ever tried sketching a pair of high-heels before? Mine usually end up looking like a lumpy potato. If only there is some sort of machine that we can plug in to visualize our idea of a perfect pair of footwear and that can churn out the picture in a blink.

Anyway, cds unlike shoes, are much easier to purchase. Here are the two that i grabbed yesterday.

Pugjelly was recommended by my cuz (J) awhile back, and Hot Chemistry, because i love Chemistry songs. The duo have very nice soothing ballads. I'm listening to them as i write this. Their packaging this time round is different from their usual cd covers. The red, knit-like print reminds one of a warm long scarf.

Wednesday 16th February 2005

Lunar New Year writer's block

ya, well... i think the title says it all.

will return after the 15th day then. **

currently reading: Dead Famous by Ben Elton

Just finished reading: A bunch of manga & A Body to Die For by Kate White

Tuesday 1st February 2005

Stuff I Want To Achieve This Month

(1) Wake up 7 am everyday

(2) Start work at 8.30 am every(week)day

(3) Sleep at (or before) 11pm daily (how else do I drag myself up at 7 otherwise?)

Hehe... Sufficient to have 3 achievements each month. I'll start with these simple steps to a healthier life. Resolutions should be broken up into small pieces, and distributed throughout the year, for easier digestion. *wise advice here... take note...*

Think baby steps. Baby steps....