Mmm....winter...

Ah, return to the blog after a week of disgusting laziness and lack of productive behaviour.

I've watched The Two Towers multiple times (mum's the word on how many times that really means) and it rocked. Rohan, Helm's Deep, horses, choppy choppy, oliphaunts, schizophrenic Gollum, Aragorn growing more stubble, champion puppy-dog eyes from Legolas, and legions of non-dancing orcs. Tee hee. Stupid orcs. While painting the white hand of Saruman:

"You only painted four fingers, dumbass!"

"Well, at least I didn't paint a foot, you numbnuts!"

Went to two sleepovers, watched Empire Records, Eat Drink Man Woman and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, ate pizza, Pocky, chips and vats of chocolate, courtesy of Tiff's fondue party, the best idea ever.

Did absolutely no shopping, unless you count some time spent at Costco ogling the obscenely large packages of crackers/Q-tips/Easy Mac.

Poked myself in the eye with a forkful of potatoes at Lydia's. I told you it would happen.

Satisfied my inner geek by reading I Am Spock, and various TTT articles, where I grossed myself out by reading the following:

Q: I heard stories about your fishing trips into the backwoods of New Zealand.

VM: Henry, should I not tell him about the rabbit?

HM: It’s really gross.

VM: Rabbits sometimes run out in front of your car, right? Well, I hit this rabbit on this lonely road in the South Island and I wanted to make sure it was dead. If it wasn’t, I’d put it out of its misery. And it was quite dead, so I thought, ‘Well, why waste it?’ And so I made a little fire and ate it.

Q: Is this something you thought Aragorn would have done?

VM: As he was driving down the road and if he hit a rabbit? Yeah, he might. If he was hungry, I guess.

And then I giggled, because it's pretty damn funny now that I think about it. Nummy roadkill. I wonder if there are more Very Secret Diaries yet?

Augh! It's coming out today!!!

Not the monster under my bed. The Two Towers is coming out today! Can't wait.... but... must resist... Must.... pass exams!

"So that is the King of Rohan!" said Pippen in an undertone. "A fine old fellow. Very polite."

Be afraid, Lydia. Be very afraid.

I have in my possession a real, working taser. Thank Joel anonymous internet companies. Amazing what you can build out of a paperclip and a disposable camera! I think I have a suggestion for an addition to the 'List of ways to annoy your roommate'.

Now all I need are some potatoes ;)

Now presenting: The Orcettes!

Back in Kingston. Finished calculus exam and felt entitled to a break from studying for algebra. Just saw the Return to Middle Earth special on tv. Oh my. I feel sorry for my friends at Queen's because they'll have to put up with even more whining about how much I want to see the next film. It looks amazing, but all I'll be able to see during specific scenes are dancing orcs drinking Coke, Legolas bungee jumping with a ridiculous green bandana on, Merry tearing a bit of electrical tape off of poor Pippen's chest at the pool hall, more dancing orcs eating chips, Arwen slapping Legolas for getting fresh with her, Frodo and Sam browsing through their impressive CD collection on the way to Mordor and yet another dancing orc (disco). Excellent! Planning to watch it the Friday I get back (with whoever I can rustle up to go with me) and again on the Sunday after that with about 20 other people (Wendy's mass LOTR party! Hooray!).

In other news: I am officially and legally able to go to a bar and get piss drunk. Unlikely, however, since alcohol is more repulsive to me than the previously mentioned dancing orcs. I'm mostly looking forward to being able to get into the clubs, pubs, etc. that some bands play at here in Kingston (minus the alcohol. Sorry webel...I'll leave the drinking to you ^_^). Come on Big Sugar! I'm still waiting for them to show up in K-Town.

Fire alarm last night at bloody 4 AM. Reeled out of bed and promptly walked into the desk and then the wall. Got the ankles of my pyjama pants soaking wet. Froze my toes off and felt like kicking anyone within kicking distance, except that I probably would have tipped over in exhaustion. And then when I got back to my room, I walked into the closet door, which I hadn't properly closed when I grabbed a sweatshirt on the way out. Fell over taking off my sandals and whacked my head on the desk. Hey, if you were woken up in the middle of REM sleep (ugh, psychology making a comeback), you'd be off balance, too.

On a side note, the toaster in Ban Righ caught on fire. Again. Flames spewing out and all. Cafeteria staff have apprehended the perpetrator of the crime (a bagel with something to prove) and have sentenced it to death by squirrel.

Announcement!! my brother is a big geek because he watched Star Trek: Nemesis the day it was released, by himself! Mweh. Mweh heh heh. Heh.

Well, at least the part about being seen as odd...


The Subculture Label Quiz
brought to you by Quizilla

Ow....my synapses...

Boy, is my long-term memory tired. After a week of shovelling ten chapters of psychology into my memory, my brain really, really hurts. But it's over! Going home on Friday (darn depleted Tricolour bus service) and stocking up on tofu, LOTR: Extended DVD, hamster cuddle, and study aids (a.k.a. chocolate, peanuts, anime).

"A Freudian slip is when you say one thing and mean your mother."

"The hypothamus controls the four 'F's: feeding, fleeing, fighting and mating."

Gotta go. My lateral hypothalamus is acting up.

Blimey, Guvna!



Kicking up my heels with joy.

I thought I had outgrown that stage...


What Type Of Anime Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

You killed the Zombie Flanders!!

He was a zombie?

Oh...tiredness. I suppose it's my own fault. An essay with 15 percent due on Monday, an algebra assignment due Friday, calculus homework for next Wednesday's quiz..it's all piling up discouragingly. But I can't really complain because I 've been procrastinating a lot. Went to see Harry Potter last Saturday with Wendy, Margaret and Winnie. Almost froze to death on the way there (why so much snow in November? Usually hits later...) Ate yummy Mekong vermecilli afterwards. Also finished watching Love Hina and am now searching for episodes of Love Hina Again.

To borrow a quote from Biku, "Blargh! I am dead!" (plop)

Good gravy, it's snowing!

And here comes Queen's Band. Poor, crazy Queen's Band, trotting about in their state of underwearlessness... all while playing 'Oil Thigh' and 'Pharoah, Pharoah'. Dude, I'm impressed!

I'm such a baby

Getting homesick. In September and October I went home almost every other week, either because I planned to, or because I had the opportunity and decided at the last moment to go. And then there were always people coming to visit (i.e. a certain brother who doesn't call when he does and hasn't even been by my room to visit).

Hallowe'en was interesting. Margaret tried to dress me up as a schoolgirl (summer skirt from SCS) and then a skank (scary red pleather pants), but it just doesn't work on a lanky, spectacled geek like me. Sorry. Spent most of the day bouncing around in a chocolate-induced sugar high, opposed to the rest of my floor, who were lurching about in an alcohol-induced stupor. I'm afraid to look into my wastepaper basket because of the multitude of candy wrappers staring back at me. Oh, food and/or chocolate guilt settling in...

Need to update links list, but am too mellowed (read: damn lazy) to do so. Also need to update the SoleDrive page before brother comes after me with a 50 pound mallet. So I'll post them here to share them with the world (also to distract Lydia from her work...MUHAR!): Tomato Nation, Plume, Sure Thing, Babs, and Hot Water.

Went to cell group hot pot last night at Viv's house. Unluckily, was stuck at the table with the inadequate, um, hot pot with several other unfortunate, hungry souls. Disturbing number of people who were in private schools in our cell group: SCS, Havergal, SAC, UCC, etc. Maybe Queen's is a preppy school. With a minority of geeks (go me!) and scary purple people (Can't sleep....engineers'll eat me...)

Happy Candy-Plunder Day!

I'm finally done my midterms! Woohoo! Still thoroughly depressed over the piece of slag I wrote for English yesterday, but I'll get over it (until I see my mark). Algebra midterm wasn't too bad. Same with the computer quiz, but being the mental giant that I am, I completely forgot about the psych study I signed up for (half a percent credit!) this afternoon. So I think I get a "warning" now. Oops. Oh well. Tonight is going crazy and eating sugar and watching TV night! Booyah!

So close....!

One...more..to go! I can make it! I can make it!

No I can't! It's too far! No more midterms! Too much! TOO MUCH!

On that happy note, I'd like to say that I have officially written the most horrendous piece ever to make its way onto paper. I had my English midterm today, and trust me, it was ugly. Remember when you knew you wouldn't fail because you knew your teachers marked on a generous bell curve and wouldn't let you fail? Ah, those were the days. I'm seriously afraid that I'll fail. *sob!* I'll just wrap myself in residence blankets now and disappear from the world...until my algebra midterm tomorrow morning.

Booyah! I OWN question two!

I r0xx0r3d question two's a55!

Just finished my psychology midterm. After studying my Chinese Canadian butt off for the past two days, and making reams of study notes (Cornell method!), and waiting for half an hour outside Etherington while the TA's finished handing out papers, setting up desks, eating a seven course meal and discussing the meaning of life and quantum theory at length while we frosh froze outside, we finally got into the auditorium and I ownzed the exam. Booyah!

Grr! Arrrrgh!

You must click here

I mean it. Do you want me to come after you with a wombat?

Click now!

*clever*


What fuzzy creature are you?

Grumble grumble

Why doesn't bloody brother doesn't call when he's in town?

Homecoming II

Went back to SCS for the first time in 4 months. No changes there, except the tuition fee from last year has gone to the recarpeting of the entire school in a lovely pattern of blue, green and pink geometric shapes (obviously to encourage learning in half-conscious students staring blankly into air after getting up at 5.50 am to get to school on time).

Strange to see everyone again, this time all poised and mature (ha!) university students. Pleh. I don't mean to sound cynical, but half the people there wouldn't have cared if I hadn't shown up. I spent five years with these people, many of whom I got along with just fine, some of whom are now my best friends, but there was always a small minority who could never be bothered to be civil to anyone outside their social sphere. Well, they were civil, but behind that thin mask of "niceness" was a giggling mass of insincerity. There was one girl who was two lockers away from me for four years (blame the alphabet) who never once bothered to talk to me, not even when I greeted her.

Oh well. I know some of my friends who truly hated their time in high school, but I can't say that. Overall, I really miss it: having friends around you whenever you need them, being in an environment where I felt comfortable in, having teachers who care if you're doing poorly in class... But there were just some days where I felt like dust, lint, thin air, etc. because someone decided that either I wasn't worth talking to.

ANYWAY. No more bitter commentary from Hoyan today. After getting our yearbooks, Ming, Dri and I went shopping (mittens, Jenny's Place) at Fairview. That pair. They make me laugh. :) Jen came back later, so we went to the Eaton Centre (and Gen's new res) to catch up on old times. Kinda. Signed yearbooks, bought a bag, etc. I miss you guys! Why did we all have to go to different universities? Mac, Waterloo, U of T, York and Queen's! And then Mike and Ainslie are both in the U.S.

Oh, no, nostalgia settling in...

Reward for Solution

If anyone can find a generalization of the following factorizations for square matrices and prove that it holds, I will mail you my deepest gratitude. Seriously.

a.) 1 - x^3 = (1 - x)(1 + x + x^2)

b.) 1 + x + x^2 = (1 - x^3) / (1 - x)

I'm going nucking futs over this. Matrices and I do NOT get along.

A woman trapped in a girl's body (or a girl trapped in a woman's mind?), you are bursting with inspiration, dreams and abilities! You hold the simple belief that nothing can stand in your way, giving you the courage to move forward and pursue your desires. However, because your view of the world is so simple, you often overlook life's necessary little details. Don't get too swept away by your dreams that you forget to look at what's right in front of you.

Which Love Hina Girl Are You?

Surprise!

Am off on spontaneous visit home to Toronto. Will scare pants off parents (but not really, as that would only be gross).

Hee hee.

I feel a disturbance in the force...

Never mind. It's just the bass from the radio across the hall combined with the rumblings from my stomach. But I do feel the stirrings of another template design. Why am I so darn restless?

New trailer out!

The Two Towers.

Full screen version.

That is all.

Homecoming I

Well, this weekend was Queen's Alumni Reunion a.k.a. Homecoming. Quite interesting to see all the original GPAs (Golden Party Armor) from the 70's.

Went to the football game on Saturday; Queen's Golden Gaels vs.Toronto Blues. Of course, the Gaels beat the tar, stuffing, feathers, snot, etc. out of the Blues ("Give up now! Give up now!") Final score: 60 something to 10. Ha! Other notable events from the game: purple engineers descending on field during half-time and rocking the goal posts, 50 something year old engineers crowdsurfing up the stands, naked purple streaker running across the field during play and into West Campus, getting to ewar my tam (over my ears of course) for the first time, the Queen's Band lining up with backs to audience, female members of band lifting up kilts, eclipsing of the sun by many moons, alumni parade, getting stepped on by half-drunk students about twelve times.

All in all, a fun weekend. Rented Almost Famous last night with Wendy, Hart and Mike the Engineer. Suffering from lack of sleep now as stayed up late beyond all reason to finish movie.

Went to cell group potluck tonight as no caf food on Sunday nights. Fun fun delicious chocolate cheesecake. Mmm...sugar high.

Goons

Ever since I started unviersity, i've been hearing a lot more swearing.

Whatever, it's their right, it's free speech, it's none of my concern. Sitting at lunch today at Ban Righ, I couldn't help but overhear the guy next to me boasting about "kicking open the f***ing doors of his f***ing school at night, and smashing the **** candy machines, stealing, like, half the s***, then pulling th f***ing fire alarm and watching f***ing eleven firetrucks and s*** pull up outside. S****!"

Yes, they're teens (so am I). No, they didn't offend anyone (possibly me). Maybe it's because I had a really stressful day. But this is university! I mean, act like an adult already. This is the time when you learn to teach yourself, do your laundry, cook your own meals, handle your own money, sometimes makeyour own money, and get yourself out of your own problems. It's not the time for you to giggle over being 'bad'. It's only thrilling to hear yourself cuss up to, oh, grade 8.

I know, I'm not the most mature person. In fact, I'm not very mature at all. But I know that university is time to grow up. To have fun, yes, but also to be responsible for your own actions. Like pulling the fire alarm at 2 am and costing the entire residence $800 dollars!

Screeeeeen my phoooone calls...

Sorry I'm not home right now
I'm walking on a spiderweb
So leave a message and I'll call you baaaack...

Hee.

Mmm...MSG...

Back in K-Town. The minuter my mother saw me, she started pinching me and saying I had lost weight. Then my grandma showed up and started doing the same thing. True enough, I weighed myself and found that I had lost 5 pounds in two weeks. Not fun. Not fun at all. So they bought me a whole box of instant noodles and forced me to take packets of instant soy milk along with me. Hamsters are so cute. Toasty (the new one) is feisty! Almost bit off my finger and then chewed up my pen. Boh-Boh is as wei-sik as ever, Dookie is cute and cuddly and black and stinky.

More greasepole jubilation when I got back last night: someone (probably the '04s) sewed/duct taped/stapled residence blankets together and made a massive banner proundly declaring "SCI '06 49 min." And then hung it off the unfinished new dorm building behind Chernoff. Hee.

Very strange how all the upper years mocked the engineering frosh before the pole. Lesson: in order to gain the respect of your elders, all you have to do is wallow around in a pool of mud and rip a Scottish be-pommed (i.e. with a pompom on top) from the top of a 25 foot high pole. Peasy as ie. No problem.

Vroom vroom.

Going home this weekend! Can't wait.

In only 5 hours, will be able to eat Chinese food, see my friends and family, take a shower without wearing flipflops, walk around the house barefoot, listen to the radio, watch tv, pick up much-needed clothes and cd's and play with three adorable hamsters.

Yes, three. Homing brought his girlfriend's hamster home with him, because she isn't supposed to have one anyway. Also, he was the one who bought it for her and he picked a vicous biting one. Hopefully it's more tame now. Gen also bought one a while ago; named it Dr. Diabolical. Hee.

Starting to actually feel like I'm at school (as opposed to extra-long session of boot camp or similar). Already have ridiculous sense of school pride (cha gheill!) and am lusting after the gear to go along with it (sweatshirt/rugby shirt/bum-pants, etc.)

The Countdown Begins!

Three months til The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is released!!!

Time to start lining up!!

Someone will pay...

Whoever decided classes should begin at 8.30AM should be slapped with a trout.

Buh.

Ugh. Every Monday feels like the first day of school all over again. Very depressing.

Yesterday, I went to my first MATH 111 class. And I actually understood it. I might actually have to switch into CISC 101 as well. There's a programming exam to see what level of programming you're capable of, but it's scheduled after the last day for full refunds in switching courses. Bugger that. I know I'm not proficient in Java, so I'm switching now.

Went to Club's Night at Grant today. Joined even more clubs: Otaqu, Students Of Speculative Realms (hee hee...Ghostbusters laser tag), ASUS Movie Theater volunteering, Society for Python Admiration and Mimicry (a.k.a. SPAM), and picked up free tickets to the QCSA semi. Don't think I'll go to that one. Nothing to wear. Though I suspect M will drag me there my my ears.

Unfortunate, as ears do not need to be any longer. Pointy would be cool, though.. Heh. Live long and prosper! Elen sila lumenn' omentielvo!

Cha Gheill! Cha Gheill! Cha Gheill!

Yes, Queen's is very, um, romantic.

Oil thigh na Banrighinn a'Banrighinn gu brath!
Oil thigh na Banrighinn a'Banrighinn gu brath!
Oil thigh na Banrighinn a'Banrighinn gu brath!

One more time!

Harry Pott-ah!

Just watched Harry Potter and the Philosophers's Stone in the common room with all my floormates. Also downloaded the trailer for the next movie and heard some rumors about future movies. Like, Sirius/Hagrid/Dumbledore/Harry dying. You know, cheerful things like that.

Gaah!

28 hits in one day?!

I think my blog is taking steroids. Shame one you!

Later...

No, no. Faith, creator of a kickass comic and future world ruler, mentioned this site in her livejournal. Spiffy.

The Pole

I really regret not buying tickets to the Greasepole event.

Why, what is this "Greasepole" that you speak of?

I'm glad you asked. Every year, the engineering frosh have to go through this ritual, retreiving an ArtSci tam nailed to the top of a flagpole, which was stolen from U of T (Ha! Ha ha ha!) years and years ago. Drive to secret location by their FRECs. Pile on top of each other and building a pyramid. Several times. Until the tam is ripped off.

So how was it this year?

Apparently this years eng frosh had the fastest time since 1985. Or thereabouts. You know, I really should've gone. Tickets were $5 each (I think), but I read that in Golden Words. Self explanatory.

You do realize you're talking to yourself.

Bugger off. I have work to do.

*starts humming Elvis*

Sigh. Why are my inner voices so geeky...

Weirdness of the Day...

Big, jockish floormate blasting "Never Again" by Nickelback, followed by "Don't Turn Off The Lights" by Enrique Iglesias, and "Just Like A Pill" by Pink.

It's like having KISS 92 right next door.

Go K-town, go K-town, go!

Alright 613!

Just went out with uglybrother (see: For Better or For Worse) and friends to dinner and short shopping trip. Ate at the Cafe India, fantastic chicken curry. Listened to discussion about CD release party, this Saturday, 7:30 PM at the Common Ground at the JDUC.

Hint, hint.

Nudge, nudge.

Wink, wink.

Just so you know, 613 is Kingston's area code, which, according to the comic strip linked to above, is also the same area code that Avalon (fictional town) has. Go K-town, home (perhaps) of the town of Avalon!

Expecting a fire alarm tonight, as it's the first Thursday (and therefore, Cocamo night) since school started. Blargh. Please no drunken antics, please...

A rush of stupidity to the head

Must go. Have class. No wait. I just keep thinking I do.

me dum.

Having now been to all my classes at least twice, I can officially say that I am a dumbass. Really. Everything I learned in calc and algeo in high school? Gone! Vanished! Eaten by the monster called summer vacation! The end.

What's worse is that there are always those smartiepants who ask complicated questions or overachieve overachieve overachieve. Constantly. My brain hurts... But I'm planning on switching into MATH 111 and 121 'cause they're more...user friendly. In the meantime, I'm stressing over textbooks and such. So expensive. I thinking university isn't so much a place to learn than a place to squeeze every penny from one's bank account.

Went to KCCF's New Student Reception last night at the JDUC. Fun fun fun. Spent three hours in the caf at dinner the night before, talking and laughing with Wendy, Margaret and Mike the engineer from the neighbouring table. Fun fun fun. Tired.

PLOP.

.....

.....

.....

sigh

Frosh VII

Yeah, I know today isn't part of Frosh Week, but I figure, might as well make it an actual week of seven days.

Went to KCAC this morning. Barely made it onto the shuttle bus because my alarm clock was possessed and didn't go off at 8.30 like it was supposed to. Met an exchange student from Singapore at the service. Met a lot of Homing's friends and some FYNIRS. Went to Symposium for lunch, armed to the teeth with 2 for 1 breakfast coupons. Stuffed myself on three scarmbled eggs, hash browns, four slices of toast and a mug of coffee. Mmm...

Frosh VI

Today is Shinerama day! Basically, Shinerama is the day during frosh week where many Canadian universities spend the whole day fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis research. Woke up refreshed (relatively.) Went to the Shinerama forum where the head of the Canadian CF foundation spoke to us. Very sad, as he spoke about his daughter who has CF. Afterwards, we all crowded into Grant Hall and watched a presentation about Queen's traditions (hurrah for Scotland!) and received our tams. Mine has a red pom pom, as do all ArtSci tams. Then we all did the Oil Thigh song and dance and looked funny. ^_^

After lunch, met up with my group and headed off to Vic Park for Shinerama. Went to Wellington and Princess to shine shoes and sell raffle tickets. Unfortunately, no one really wears leather shoes in the summer, so we resorted to bribing people with songs and cheers. Got sprayed with a guy with a garden hose. Learned a new Queen's, um, song:

Spirit! Yeah, yeah we got spirit!
Yeah, we got drunk frosh, totally sloshed!
Beer beer beer beer beer beer beer beer!

Gaels! Yeah, yeah, we got gaels!
Yeah, we got drunk gaels, totally whaled,
Beer beer beer beer beer beer beer beer!

OCs! Yeah, yeah, we got OCs!
Yeah, we got drunk OCs, totally toasty!
Beer beer beer beer beer beer beer beer!

Chairs! Yeah, yeah we got chairs!
Yeah, we got drunk chairs totally impaired!
Beer beer beer beer beer beer beer beer!
We got spirit!

Apparently, Queen's reputation as a party school has prompted anti-milk groups to focus it's "Got beer?" campaign on our campus. Just what we need: more dunken frosh pulling firealarms when other not-so-drunk frosh want to sleep. Can you tell I'm bitter?

Soon, off to dinner and the ArtSci semiformal at Jock Harty, where I know no one and will probably end up dancing by myself for 3 minutes, then going back to res and sleeping early.

WET.

Postscript: Skipped out completely on the semi. Instead, I bumped into Mo at dinnertime. We (Mo, Alli, Hart, Alan and Aaron) decided to have a laundry party at Vic. Took the shuttle over to West Campus and helped Alan improvise his loft bed. Then went back to main campus and visited Mo's place (bunk beds!) Managed to fill up four washers and three dryers with our stuff. Slammed the engineers' oatmeal duds on tables, etc. to loosen caked mud and oatmeal, then dumped them all into one load. Needless to say, they were still dirty when they came out of the washer. Too bad the dryers don't really work; none of our shirts or pants came out dry. lot to hang up tonight.

Frosh V

Still running on inadequate amounts of sleep (lots of loud, drunken people hanging around the hall and res entrance.) This morning, the yearly sidewalk sale was held. Collected obscene amounts of club pamphlets and freebies. As I walked with some people from my home church (all Chinese), all the Asian clubs made a beeline for us. Since Asians are a minority here, they have a lot of clubs to make up for it: Queen's East Asian Club, Queen's Mandarin Taiwanese Club, Queen's Vietnamese Club, Queen's Chinese Scholars' Club, Asian Cooking Club, etc.

I was going to stick with my Gael Group all day, but bumped into a friend who hadn't registered for Frosh Week, so I mooched around the Sidewalk Sale with her all day instead. Got more pamphlets, a pair of Queen's bum pants (has "QUEEN'S" written on the seat), and a Queen's school agenda, just like the ones from high school.

Right now, some band is practicing and/or warming up outside, and they're audible from any point on campus. The bassist just played two lines from "My Sharona." Hee. I've decided to skip the concert. Rumor has it that Swollen Members is the main band taking the stage, so I'm not too interested. Instead, I'm going to a KCCF unofficial welcome get together at someone's house.

But if it turns out to be Big Sugar or similar, I'm really going to kick myself.

SLEEPY.

Postscript: KCCF welcome was great. 50 odd people crammed into one apartment, met a lot of frosh. Went to A&P after, was scandalised by their obviously inflated prices, and attempts to take advantage of cash-strapped students. Beat the system by buying only two cans of soup and a box of tissue (total: $2.98)

Frosh IV

Guess what? Another false fire alarm last night. Some numbnuts decided it would be a good idea... again. I should have expected it, though; it was Pub Night last night. Everytime it happens, I wake up and think it's a very large telephone in the hall.

Not much happened today, more "get to know Queen's" activities. Tried unsuccessfully to get coveralls for Frosh Olympics tomorrow (nothing in my size.) Walked around downtown and got freebies and spirit points. Here's one of our cheers:

I love you, you love me,
We are happy MIB's
With two great Gaels
And lots of great Frosh
This Frosh week you'll watch us MOSH!

Now, am sitting alone in my room, waiting for friends to go back to their room and unabandon me. Sniff.

EVEN MORE TIRED.

Frosh III

For the first time in a week, I was on my way to a good night's rest. Until the fire alarm attacked me and forced me out of bed at 3.30 AM, along with the other 799 residents of Vic Hall. Bloody hell!

When we were finally let back in at 4 AM, my roomie and I managed to squeeze in another three hours of sleep until we had to get up in time for the collect the frosh parade. At 9, we watched as the Con Eddies of 2006 were doused in a coat of talc powder by their silver painted Gaels. Joined my Gael group and got our frosh packages (including a t-shirt, that I managed to put on backwards.)

Went to Jock Harty again for a welcome meeting. Cheered for about 2 hours straight and then went to lunch. very bored and tired at this point, so when I bumped into a girl I met at the Playfair thingie, it didn't take much for me to leave my group and wander around campus with her. We walked over to the JDUC and bought junkfood. Checked out used books and purple engineering boys (she has her eye on a few.) After, went to her room and watched a movie on her laptop (Studio Ghibli) and ate a pile of chips.

At dinner, we decided we didn't want to go to Pub Night (a.k.a. get plastered.) Instead, we got dressed up and walked around the campus some more. Got back to rez and talked to Katie, who is back in town along with all the rest of the upper years.

TIRED.

Frosh II

More get-to-know-you activities. Playfair at Jock Harty Arena (i.e. sweathole, as no aircon) where we met and forgot names of about a hundred people. Went on a short campus tour and then lunch. Our floor decided to visit Leonard Hall for lunch. I think I'm going to get tired of caf food very quickly (within a month).

Free time for a couple of hours; talked with Mo and visited Alli on the engineering section. After an insanely early dinner, headed over to Grant Hall for Existere, a series a skits about life as a frosh.Very, um, candid. About everything: dorms, first impressions and sex.

Free time afterwards, including a concert by Bedouin Soundclash at Jock Harty. Since I didn't get any sleep last night, I was too tired to go. Instead sat in room like a lifeless zombie and ICQd. My LOTR poster (where the Fellowship is on the river) is getting a lot of admiration.

Homesick. :(

Frosh I

Got to Kingston at about 10 AM and lugged everything up. It turns out my roomie is my brother's high school english teacher's daughter. Spiffy. She's a Christian, too and also likes anime. What are the odds?

Learned the Queen's school cheer ("Oil thigh na something something something something bragh! Chagheil! Chageill! Chageill!") and the Vic Hall cheer (hooray for X-shaped buildings!) and met my floor. Organized all my junk and put up posters (LOTR & Totoro) and pictures (from grad, last day of school, at the mall, HK and at home). They showed two movies last night but was too damn tired to go out.

Mmm...cafeteria food.

Leavng home

One last post in Toronto before I go. *Sniffle* I already feel homesick. And paranoid that I'll forget to bring something. Bidding tearful farewell to the hamsters as I speak. Queen's, ho!

University? What is this "university" you speak of?

Am currently ignoring the chaotic mess on the floor of my room. Instead, I'm digging in the basement, looking for suitable packing boxes to store all my stuff. I'm actually at my friend's house right now (well, my mom's friend's daughter that I get along with very well). She has Rogers cable and three computers, so all the kids (well, the older ones) are sitting at different terminals ICQing each other. I'm asking Alice what I need to pack on a trip to her bathroom.

me: How was your trip?
Alice: What trip?
me: To the Land of Toilet
Alice: Oh. It was great.
Alice: Amazing. Exhilarating. Breathtaking.
me: Hmm... Maybe I should visit someday. Maybe get a tan.
me: A snowglobe. A nice fridge magnet.
Alice: Hee hee. Yes, you should.
me:: Do they accept traveller's cheques over there?

LOTR at Queen's University?!

Just looking at the Queen's website, and apparently, there's a place called Elrond College!

It's now known as Princess Towers. Built in 1972, it was named after the LOTR character because Rivendell, Elrond's home in the books, is described as "a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness".

If they wanted it to be cozy, they should have just named it Bag End.

Gimme something good!

Find out what anime character cliche you are.





Cute Baddie

Find out what anime character cliche you are.

Mug shots of the little criminals

Boh-boh, caught stealing food.


Looking for a hiding spot.


Dookie, caught by surprise...


...and making a run for it!

Hamtaro, the furball from hell.

Recently, YTV, the Canadian kids channel, started to broadcast Hamtaro, a show about 11 (or is it 12?) hamsters wreaking havoc and their daily lives. Unfortunatly, hamsters in real life aren't quite so innocent. So far, Boh-Boh and Dookie have escaped a grand total of 5 times. The last time (yesterday morning), my two cousins forgot to close the cage properly so Dookie got out and had a night on the town. He managed to jump down from the shelf where his cage is, climb up the couch and chew off all the buttons on the remote control. Homing sat down to watch The Wrath of Khan yesterday only to find that there weren't any buttons left on the remote. So he looked under all the couch cushions and caught him red-handed, chewing on God knows what else. So now we're just waiting until my dad finds out and the scat hits the fan.

Internet is back up.

Went to the Ex (Canadian National Exhibition) the day before with Jen, Gen and Tiff. It was our last day together before we dispered to university, so we went nuts Bwa ha ha! We all bought winter hats even though it was 29 Celsius outside and spent tons of money at the midway. Darn Birthday Game. Found a stall that sold beef sticks (giant sausage) and returned for samples three times (Jen ended up buying one for $20). Rode the Ferris Wheel and the Polar Express ("Faster! Faster!") and ate disgustingly unhealthy things, like hotdogs, deep-fried candy bars, a chocolate dipped banana, cotton candy, fries, fries and more fries. Forgot to get Tiny Tom's donuts. Watched Inferno, the lights/laser show (sensory overload). Went to Gen's place half deaf and still hungry. Made popcorn, ate sugar (candy) and watched Geobreeders and Gunsmith Cats.

High speed. Huh.

Four days of blissfull downloading, and BAM! No more internet at all. Apparently, something is wrong with the network.

Network. Huh.

They said it would be reconnected by the 20th.

Reconnected. Huh.

Cheeky cheeky.

Double-doubles, expert navigation and "French money"

Finished fun-filled family roadtrip to Mt. Tremblant and Montreal (alliteration, ho!), where I learned to savour double-doubles (double cream, double sugar) and give directions to my brother without alarming my parents:

me: "Stay on 20 until exit 43"
dad: "43? There's no Highway 43!"
mom: "Keep going straight! Straight!"
me: "I know. I said exit 43."
mom: "Aiyah! What exit did we just pass?"
me: "We're not going to miss the exit, mom."
mom: "We're going to miss the exit!"
homing: "Calm down, mom! Geez!"
dad: "Don't speak to your mother like that!"
me: "RRRRR!"

And so on. For the three hours to Kingston, three hours to Tremblant and three hours to Montreal. And then back again. I'm surprised Homing's veins didn't burst. Had fantastic dinners at Tremblant (Auberge la Porte Rouge, Village Mont Tremblant), did some shopping in the town and realized that eleven years of French classes failed to drum any knowledge of the language into my head at all. Well, not really; can still understand quite well, but speaking is out of the question.

At the Biodome in Montreal (at the Olympic Park), we ended up sitting next to a very loud, very old, very annoyed group of Americans. One, an elderly man, was especially upset over the amount of small change he received from the cashier:

"Look at all these coins! Now I have to go get more French money! We still have three days here and I have no more French money left!"

I guess he didn't notice the word "CANADA" written all over his French money, nor the Canadian flag out front.

Huh?

I'm home! Mu-ah, mu-ah, mu-AUGH! Where's my luggage?!

Rewind: Left camp armed with red eyes, two camp t-shirts covered in autographs, and a page of email addresses. Went to live with my auntie until I left HK, about three days. Major shift in surroundings; went from an isolated building on a mountain near Sha Tin, to the 37th floor of a fancy condominium in the Mid Levels (Huh? #1). Felt really bad because her son gave up his room for me even though he just got back from a month's stay in Boston the day before. Ate at a ton of fantastic restaurants (recommended: Ye Shanghai, Pacific Place, Central).

Hours spent staring at Hong Kong's skyline: 3

Visited Festival Walk (Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon) and did some shopping (Gorillaz, G-sides), watched little kids and scrawny teens skate around the indoor ice rink (Wha-? Huh? #2), dressed appropriately in tank tops and shorts. Imagined a hockey team suddenly appearing into thin air and bulldozing through the crowd. Heh heh.

Visited Stanley Market on the south side of HK Island with my auntie; bought some cheap ties and hats and sat down in a restaurant at Murray House (sp? It was in Amazing Race 2! Hee). Went out with Maggie (whom I haven't seen since October...?) on my last night in Hong Kong. To Mongkok (gasp!). At night (GASP!). We ate at a Japanese restaurant and walked around the stores (Lady's Street?). Went home by myself on the subway and took a taxi up home. I'm so proud. :P

Flight home was okay; only one Gravol pill left (Huh? #3 There were four left before!). Watched Big Fat Liar, Ice Age, Spiderman, The Scorpion King, and Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron. Unfortunatly, my flight from HK to Chicago was a little late, so I barely made my connecting flight to Toronto. BUT. Since I arrived at Terminal 5 and needed to get to Terminal 1 (apparently as far away as Quebec City and Mars), my one piece of luggage didn't make it (Huh? #4). Wasn't worried when I found out, since it was only late, not lost. Until I remembered my mom's (expensive) electronic translator was still in said luggage (Why? Huh? #5). Two days and 11 frantic calls later, it finally arrived, bursting to goodness with my entire wardrobe, presents for others and my dirty, muddy, steenkin' running shoes. Oops.

When arrived at home, found a brand new Bell Sympatico High-Speed internet connection waiting to be installed (Huh? #6). Although had been nagging dad about it for months, never really expected him to get it. Also, found a brand new decent looking shiny van emblazoned with the Fubar logo sitting on the driveway (Huh? #7). Apparently, my brother won a contest with MuchMusic (the nation's music station); prizes included the guitar, drumset and van used in the movie, a whack of gift certificates for HMV, and the movie soundtrack (my innocent ears).

Found out my aunt got a hamster. (Huh? #8) Just two months ago, my grandmother got a scorching rebuke from my uncle for offering to buy one for my cousins.

Oh, and we're going to Quebec tomorrow.

Huh?

F12

Today is Day 5 of the camp I'm attending (Breakthrough). Summary of what we've done so far:

Day 1: Arrived at shuttle bus with aunt and uncle (both worried sick that I would get lost in the 5 meters between them and the bus). Put into group "F-fu" (a.k.a. "F-jou"). Found a fellow canuck. Ming sick, coming tomorrow.

Day 2: Don't remember. It's all a blur. Played games in our groups, I think.

Day 3: Went rock climbing in the gym (or maybe that was yesterday). Spiffy! Made it up surprisingly fast the first time round. Was blindfolded in the second try and only made it halfway. Achy arms and shoulders.

Day 4: Did pushups with everyone else in the camp because someone was late. Final day of the 'Face-Off' simulation. My group was placed as Pakistan for every single day (meaning we had to open doors during dinnertim; no perks). Today, we finally got a chance to be in a group with some rights (be served by another group, get dessert, etc.), but ended up as India instead. As a result, we had to eat 'third world food' (i.e. plain rice with soy sauce), while the American group feasted on a buffet, served by various camp counselors (dai see). It was fun, pasting ourselves against the windows to see what America got to eat, but we also had to hike up a mountain that evening. Very hot and exhausting. Made it to the top in the dark, at around 9 PM.

Day 5: Spent the night on the mountain (meaning, sitting on a rock until dawn, protected from the elements and insects by a giant garbage bag and poncho. We were supposed to meditate on our "I.D. Plus" and finish some assignments, but the latter required a flashlight, which only attracted more bugs, so I just tried to sleep. On the rock. Did I mention my shoes and socks got soaked three times while crossing three brooks? I'm glad I did it though, becuse the views were amazing. Who would have thought that Hong Kong could have so much wilderness in it? We got back to the camp building at about 9 or 10 AM and did some cleaning up. I'm writing from the library (Xyber Cafe) during the only free time we have scheduled for the week we're here. I think all my roommates (six of them) are all asleep in our room, L1-04.

That's about it...so far. It feels weird to be writing in English after hearing so much Cantonese and Mandarin for so long. I'm beginning to understand a little Mandarin, too. I was confused in the beginning because everyone here calls Mandarin po tong wa (common speech?). Okay, off to take a nap now. More later if I can find time to use the computers again.

I *heart* Octopus Cards.

We really need those in Toronto. No more waiting in line for people to buy tickets, no more waiting for TTC workers to get back from lunch/dinner/second lunch breaks... Speaking of T.O., World Youth Day is just kicking off (or has already started, I don't know). Should be interesting. I hope all that garbage from the strike has been cleaned up, or else I'll be coming home to a very stinky city.

I've learned that there are three things that tourists in HK spend time doing:

1. eating
   
2. shopping
   
3. sweating

And maybe some sightseeing if they have time. I'm ashamed to look at the receipts in my wallet. Not beacuse there are a lot, but because of the number of Bossini ones in the pile. I can't help it! Everytime I walk past a store, I see giant pictures of Lilo and Stitch, begging me to spend my hard-earned money on them.

Had lunch with my aunt (relative) and auntie (family friend), and dinner with my dad's side. Shopping a lot with Ming. Split a toenail on the fitting room door at U2 (Pacific Place). Mmmm...pain and wontons. Re-read The Two Towers (Tolkien), and Bridget Jones' Diary. Took sticker pics with Ming and her friend Mannis, and a card with my cousin. Visited The Peak with same people minus cousin plus Lil. Freaked out by fake Chinese driver at the Ripley's Believe It or Not exhibit (took some pics). Imitated the Baha Men at the electronic harp (dog notes). More shopping, eating and sweating. Bought an MP3 player (Mpio, JNC) and a Chinese-English dictionary for mom (electronic). Going to Breakthrough camp tomorrow. Very tired.

Super Magical Air Conditioning Candy Attack!

Sitting at a terminal at the Hong Kong Central Library, freezing my little Canadian butt off (is that possible?) The air conditioning here is insane, but with 30 C plus temperatures everyday and over 80% humidity, I guess it's a necessity. So much for acclimitisation (sp?).

Lessee, what have I spent the last four days doing? Sleeping, mainly, eating rice, sleeping some more, eating more rice... Actually, I went out the second day I got here, with Ming, Tiff, and Ming's two friends, Celia and Mannis. We went to Causeway Bay and did some shopping (skirt HKD$60, U2 and capris HKD$90, Bossini), and saw Men In Black 2. Surreal. I didn't notice the Chinese subtitles until half an hour into the movie. It was weird because the five of us would hear the jokes and start laughing while everyone else gave us funny looks (until they read the subtitles and started giggling themselves).

Third day, went out with my aunt and uncle. Took the ferry (only $2.20!) to Kowloon, took some pictures of Hong Kong Island, baked in the sun, cooled off in that pointy building (Arts Centre? Culture Centre?). Took the other ferry back to Hong Kong Island (still $2.20) and took some pictures of the Hong Kong Saddledome. I know that isn't right at all, but it reminds me of Calgary's stadium, so that's what it is for now. It's the building where the ceremony for HK's handover to China took place. Very crowded.

Fourth day, went back to Causeway Bay with aunt to do some shopping. Well, window shopping mostly; SOGO very expensive. Got rained on, took refuge in another department store, got rained on again, ate at a Vietnamese place, got stepped on for the fourth time that day (I love the crowds), and went home. Major headache due to jetlag and rainy weather. Watched the new Korean television drama (babies switched at birth, parents and brother horrified). Slept some more.

Oh, that trip!

So hot. So tired. So bloody jetlagged. ^_^

Things I've Noticed:

• I feel like The Jolly Green Giant. I'm not that tall, 5' 8" or so, but here in Hong Kong, amidst masses of Chinese people, I can actually see over the crowds.
  
• There are signs everywhere. With three bus companies, bus stops are especially hard to see.
  
• Anyone under 30 looks like they've just stepped out of a health spa or something. That is, clean hair, clean skin, trendy clothes, expensive shoes. Jetsetters? I'm not sure I that's what it means.
  
• Lilo & Stitch is in heavy promotion here. And I lurve it. Stitch cereal, shirts (Bossini), posters, toys, etc. Cute.

Trip? What trip?

I almost forgot I was going to Hong Kong. Homing, I'm sorry I didn't update the site. There was just too much going on. If you want, I can email you instructions on how to FTP Dave's 'Sauga' article (it's already finished).

I hope I can keep myself occupied during the 18 hours in the air. Also that I can manage to keep my lunch, dinner, breakfast and second lunch down at the same time. Brought Super Headphones (TM), Bridget Jones' Diary, and The Two Towers to keep me busy.

Very apprehensive.

Wired

So busy. So wired. Need break.

After finishing my summer job (packing thousands upon thousands of bowls/cups), I though I could take a bit of a break before I left for Hong Kong... I was very, extremely wrong. My godparents both came to Toronto last Wednesday for my parents' silver anniversary on Saturday, so we went out for dinner (Chinese food) every night after work. This means HK style tea. Every night. For about a week. Not that I'm complaining, but you can only handle so much caffeine in your system at a time (Gasp! Really?)

Getting ready for the anniversary also kept me busy. My aunt and my auntie (i.e. Mom's best friend) were hell-bent on giving them an anniversary they wouldn't forget. First, the lunch was held at a pretty, small-townesque inn/event...place called The Doctor's House in a little town outside of Toronto Proper (GTA). PowerPoint presentation outlining parent's courtship, two pastors pretending to be my parents (complete with falsetto voices), sappy songs, okay food, and a humidex of 34 C.

Completely forgot about HK trip and university in September. Loads to do:

• pack for trip
  
• find contact numbers in HK
  
• get mom to print out Breakthrough letters at office
  
• mail in preregistration form
  
• remind dad to pay initial fees
  
• send frosh week registration form and fee
  
• complete QLINK registration
  
• get paycheck
  
• use paycheck to fund registrations
  
• hate registrations in general
  
• enjoy final moments of livable weather and drinkably water
  
• change hamster bedding

"I like fluffy!"

Depressive state over. Much better now, as have watched Lilo & Stitch again. Vast improvement on last years' Atlantis (coughNadiacough). Lilo reminds me of myself (eccentric tastes, unnecessary violence), as does Stitch (bottomless stomach, unnecessary violence).

Yesterday was "Chinese Day" at Wonderland (or so I call it). Went with Ming, Dri, and a bunch of MIng's friends. Was dragged onto Psyclone, Minebuster (covered in bruises now), The Fly, and some not so scary kiddie rides (Great Whale of China, and that Octopus ride). Refused to even go near Top Gun and The Bat.

Canada Day tomorrow! In celebration, had poutine for dinner.

Misery Chick

This isn't right. I have a day off from work, and Canada Day coming up on Monday. Somehow I'm extremely depressed.

Maybe it's because I went shopping today. To some, this is the highlight of their week, the epitome of fun, the best thing to do with free time. Ho hum. But, you see, when you have low self-esteem to begin with, going shopping and having people gawk at how bad/funny/weird you look is not the best thing to do to boost morale. I started out the day with a smile on my face and got home crying on the floor. Well, not really, but you get the point. I am a misery chick. Joy.

In other news, I got new sandals. Comfy, beautiful, don't-need-to-look-good-in-them sandals.

Achy Break back, abs, arms, thumbs...

After only 7 days of labour at M******* Plastics/Packaging Factory, I must conclude that I am insane. Lounging around at home doesn't seem so bad now. I spent the entire 8 hours of today's work day making stacks of no-drip toddler cups and trying to avoid the glares of the supervisor (they call him Hitler). Basically, for the next three weeks, I'll live and die by the break/lunch schedule, kept on track by the automatic buzzer that sounds more like a signal for cattle branding or something. Moo.

It's a Chinese factory, meaning owned by a Chinese person, run by Chinese people and employing Chinese people. Very typical in the GTA. For some reason, the other workers there can't remember my name. So far, I've been addressed as: Diane, Leon, Leona, Anne, Lee, Liavernin, Leffannen and soh mui ("silly girl").

Daily Dose of Tests

you have an ominosity quotient of seven. you are as ominous as the creators of this quiz. which terrifies us. find out your ominosity quotient.

Toothpaste caps.

Like Charlie Bucket's father. Never mind. Started new job today (packing/plastics factory). Mmm...fumes... Spent the morning shaving off extra bits of plastic from no-drip toddler cups and lining up other no-drip toddler cups to be painted by enourmous, loud machine. Ate lunch. One of the other ladies much think I'm anorexic or something because all I had was a sandwhich and some crackers. Not anorexic, just lazy... Woke up too late to make anything better. Spent afternoon stuffing hundreds upon hundreds of bags with promotional material and yet another version of a no-drip toddler cup. Am very, very sore due to lack of back support when sitting on stools.

Oops, I did it again.

You're GLUTTONY! Food is good. You love to stuff yourself, and you may become over weight, if you already aren't. You like to endulge. You're represented by the color orange.

Damn straight.

:: how jedi are you? ::

I thought I was the crazy one in the corner...

I'm completely down-to-earth!

Find your soul type at kelly.moranweb.com.

I almost forgot: someone left Dookie's cage open and the little furball escaped! After a night of freedom and hamster debauchery, he finally turned up in one of the family room cupboards, happily shredding my dad's tax documents into bedding. I gave him a firm talking-to and grounded him for three days.

Why must I be surrounded by fricking idiots?

I'm a Supervillain!

What Type of Villain are You?

mutedfaith.com /
<º>

Well, it's over. We messed up lining up on stage to sing the school song (wrong order, wrong lines), so somehow I ended up in the first row, front of the line. Since I wasn't supposed to be there in the first place, I didn't know what to do when the song was over and just staggered uncertainly off to my seat. So much for graceful, poised graduates, eh? I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but with a principal like PDP, it feels like the end of the freaking world.

Other stuff that happened: a great grade 11 dance (complete with Ghostbusters, yellow raincoats, cheerleaders and spiffy music), lots of dropping of grad pins and roses, Correy dancing back to her seat after receiving her diploma, lots of strapless A-line dresses, and a theater full of people trying to stay interested awake for the whole ceremony. Oh, and I won a (pity) award: Parent's Association Scholarship.

Went to Tiff's house afterwards for a sleepover. I very wisely forgot to bring street shoes with me, so I had to wear my Grad Shoes From Hell next morning. Teased Smoky with some string for a while before Tiff's mom surprised us with a cake and an impromptu chocolate fondue. Watched Bridget Jones' Diary ( as Monique would put it: darcylicious) and American Idol. Tiff and I needed to indulge in "reality" TV one last time before we all went to university.

Grad Song. I'm told the band will be attending. I hope they won't be upset over the changes. PDP insisted on a 2 minute version of a 3 and a half minute song. Sheesh.

Next of Kin by Staggered Crossing

You and I have been the greatest of friends
Never gave much thought in landing
There are no degrees in love
There are no degrees in understanding

You're in my heart
I can feel you through my soul
Sha-la-la-la
You're in my heart
I can feel you through my soul
Sha-la-la-la

Can't go 'round cutting down hollow trees
When they've given up on standing
I didn't know then but I sure know now
That you were the Next Of Kin for me

You're in my heart
I can feel you through my soul
Sha-la-la-la
You're in my heart
I can feel you through my soul
Sha-la-la-la

I would never let you down
You would never let me down
I would never let you down
I would never let you down

You and I have been the greatest of friends
Never gave much thought in landing
There are no degrees in love
There are no degrees in understanding

You're in my heart
I can feel you through my soul
Sha-la-la-la
You're in my heart
I can feel you through my soul
Sha-la-la-la

Hot muggy grad day! Going to "get hair done", i.e. trim here and there, for grad. I think I'm going to go to Pacific Mall with Ming again. I spend far too much time there but there's so much to gawk at. Yesterday was exam return day (HA!) and grad rehearsal (again) at Massey Hall. Very relieved to find out that the stairs are carpeted (less falling for me). Spent about six hours at the Eaton Centre with Tiff and, later, Ming. Rediscovered the joy of Archie comics and almond bubble tea. Bought t-shirts from SmartSet. Got yelled at by Ming for buying said shirts here instead of in Hong Kong where they cost a quarter of the price. Sigh.

FTP. Driving. Insane.

I've been trying to upload onto the soledrive site for the past hour, but every time the file I've just uploaded comes up as empty. So there will be no index or intro pages until I get to school tomorrow and try it from there. Bugger.

10 minutes later... Nevermind. I figured out why. Not enough space on the C drive (I think; I'm not in computer science just yet). Deleted a bunch of Dad's "artistic attempts" (i.e. family pictures from the digital camera converted into black and white) and voila!

Lookit me! I'm Mace Windu! Swish! Swoosh!

Another beautiful day in T.O. Too bad it'll rain on Tuesday.

Re-reading my Pern books. I want a fire lizard.

Imagine almost 60 young women, all wearing white dress shoes, tottering around a carpeted gym while clutching either a bowling pin, a badminton racket, or a sheaf of paper from the recycling bin held together by an elastic band without tripping on the bags and paper plates littering the floor in front of two rows of metal folding chairs. Then laugh your ass off.

That was what we (grad class) spent two odd hours doing. I guess since the school goes to the trouble of renting out the very swanky Massey Hall for the grad ceremoney, they want it to be perfect. Or, rather, the all-powerful PDP wants it to be perfect. So we had to practice handing off the roses/bowling pins in the proper order and standing up/sitting down in unison. Not a very easy thing to do.

Sleepover yesterday was fun. I'm proud to say I didn't get lost or forget the house number. We went to Loblaws and bought chips, Nestea (what else?) and a chocolate truffle mouse cake. Yum. Passed by the spiffy yellow cartoony house on Gen's street four times. Rented Ocean's 11 and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (my virgin ears). Had an hour long discussion about parents and university life (see: lack of breakfast).

In other news, a new issue of the Clementimes needs to be done by Monday. Also, Homing is coming back today. This means a very busy weekend for Hoyan.

Fluke. Such a fluke. I passed the G2 test! I can drive! But now that it's over, I probably won't drive for another three weeks. Try having three hour driving lessons three days in a row, and you'll know what I mean. Thank goodness I had a merciful nice instructor doing my test.

But this has been a really good day so far. I finally received my prize from that Lord of The Rings trivia contest (addressed to "Hoyan", which was the name I used in the emails and stuff I sent to them; I think I'll keep the packaging for that reason alone). Sleepover tonight at Gen's house (after she finishes her written exam for her M1 i.e. motorcycle learning license). Lots of anime and movies expected...it's also an unofficial 'cheer-up-Jen' party (re: bf). I got her Pocky and a Dick Bruna-ish mini pillow from Pacific.

No more chem! No more exams! No more uniform! Whee! If my tunics hadn't cost so much, I would have myself a nice little bonfire.

Updated Homing's band's webpage; added enough pictures and articles and stuff to satisfy a whole army of frustrated brothers.

Busy day yesterday. Three hour driving lesson in Aurora, hepatitis A shot (owie), fitting at Pacific for grad dress, buying certain undergarments to fit into grad dress properly, loading up with yummy food from Pacific food court for dinner, and a manic scavenger hunt at Agape (included pictures of 21 speed bumps, 10 people in a shopping cart, about thirty Canadian geese and a Chapter's fire escape sign). Very fun, very tired. Dookie is so cute. Post picture later.

Walk Away - Ben Harper

Oh no, here comes the sun again
That means another day
without you my friend
And it hurts me to look
into the mirror at myself
And it hurts even more
to have to be with somebody else

And its so hard to do
And so easy to say
But sometimes, sometimes
You just have to walk away, walk away

So many people to love in my life
Why do i worry about one
But you put the happy in my ness
You put the good times into my fun

And its so hard to do
And so easy to say
But sometimes, sometimes
You just have to walk away, walk away
And head for the door

We've tried to say goodbye
So many days
We walk in the same direction
So that we could never stray
They say if you love somebody
Then you have got to set them free
But I would rather be locked to you
Than live in this pain and misery

They say that time will make all this go away
But its time that has taken my tomorrows
And turned them into yesterday
And once again that rising sun
is dropping on down
And once again you my friend
are nowhere to be found

And its so hard to do
And so easy to say
But sometimes, sometimes
You just have to walk away, walk away
And head for the door
You just walk away
Walk away, walk away.....
Just walk on, walk on
Turn and head for the door....
Walk away....

I Wish You Well - Tom Cochrane

I'm gonna check my scars at home
Gonna cash my chips and roam
Gonna walk before I fade to black
I'm gonna write a new resume
I'm gonna write you off the page
I'm gonna take what we might take away

And you will find a brighter day
And in another year
The pain will disappear and I
Will look back on this life
as if it were a scene
In a film somebody made for you and me
I wish you well

She wants to be set free
Wants the space to feel love and be angry
And I watch her bounce off the walls
While the chips they start to fall

And then in a little while I see
That distant smile returning
Just like a ghost in a dream
That we had way back when
Then she'll turn and smile and say
Come again

And in another year
The pain will disappear
We'll look back on this life
as if it were a scene
In a film somebody made about you and me

I cannot believe there's nothing left to save
Hard as a hammer she wants me
To come again and again
I'm down on my knees
Won't you come again
Don't you need relief

And in another year
The pain will disappear
And I will look back on this life
as if it were a scene
And in a little while
I'll see that distant smile returning
Just like back in the days
When we were so naive
In a film somebody made for you and me
I wish you well....

Sniffle. Today was my last day of high school, ever. It's a little scary knowing that next year no one will really care if you show up in class or not. And also the whole taking care of self aspect, too.

Last friday was the Pen class' Friendship Assembly for the grads. I'll admit I cried like a baby but everyone else did, too, so all is good. Also, yesterday was the awards assembly and grad lunch. I finally got enough house points to get my junior house letter (150 pts). It's actually pointless now, since I have all of two more days to wear it on my uniform. Oh well, I'll put my York pin and house letter on the SCS teddy bear the school gave us at the grad lunch.

Farewell assembly today; not too much crying this time. We sang Ben Harper's 'Walk Away' and showed a slideshow. I think we were all fine until our homeform teacher almost cried during an announcement she made. :...(

I'm awake! I'm awake!

Brain hurts. Need sleep.

In other news, I got a hamster from Homing as a grad present. Black bear hamster. Very cute, very shy, very...musky. Temporarily called Dooku/Dookie until I think of a better name (Homing named him after the SW baddie).

Going home now, hitching a ride with Tiff. Actually, we're going to Pacific Mall for her fitting and I need to talk to the people there about my own fitting date, so here I go.

It finally feels like spring (although Calgary apparently had 30 cm of snow last night). Went to the Jupiter Cafe with Heggs and Kathleen and got garlic bread for lunch. Not exactly the healthiest choice but all I had was a $50 bill and lots of spare change.

I booked my G2 driving test yesterday. June 6 in Aurora. To everyone in general: turn on your lights, stay in your lane, don't tailgate and please be patient!

Testing...testing...It lives! It lives!

I've been really busy, what with soledrive site, english essays, APs, normal exams, and finding time to slack off relax.

Boh-boh was sick for a while. Stroke? Or ear infection. His balance was off and his head was tilted to the right all the time, but he's a lot better. Homing nearly had a heart attack when I told him. Heck, he almost gave everyone in the restaurant a heart attack when he yelled "What?!" when I told him it might have been a stroke.

Watched Episode II last Saturday with Jen, Seemal and Meg. Bumped into Dri and Ming at the Sheppard Centre at lunch. Everyone in the theater was either a) male or b) students skipping afternoon classes. Well, not us (a chilly May Day at the park means early dismissal).

Working on new template. Update properly soon.

Killer APs. Raar!

Oh, yeah. There was an earthquake, oh, about three weeks ago, on April 20th (saturday after the formal). 5.5 on the Richter Scale. I forgot to write about it. Just something to remember.

It's been awhile. To sum up since I last wrote:

• Happy Birthday Tiff! I'd link to your new journal, but last time you freaked and said not to. So I'll wait.
  
  
• It's AP time. That is, barely any classes and writing lots of exams that don't matter. This year I have six exams. FUN.
  
  
• I've spent most of my "study" time working on my brother's band's webpage. Ant made the front page, but has apparently immigrated to the Dominican Republic for a couple of weeks, so Homing asked me to finish it. I told him I'd help plug promote the band so here goes nothing: SoleDrive!
  
  
• The computer is finally working properly again, i.e. I've got a decent edition of Photoshop. New template up soon (hopefully).
  
  
• Boh-boh is doing fine. He eats anything and everything, including popsicles, cherry pie, apples, banana bread, corn, ants, grass and wood. My grandma still thinks that he's a rat, though. She'll come around. Just look at him!
  
  
  

"Congratulations! Your eligibility for a prize for Game 1 of the Fellowship of the Ring Trivia Contest sponsored by HarperCollins Canada Ltd. has been confirmed."

Spiffy. I completely forgot about playing that game back in March. Since most of the people who played weren't Canadian citizens, they weren't eligible for the prize (a copy of The Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide: Collector's Hardback Edition). Wow. I've never won anything before that didn't require chinese calligraphy or solving math problems for three hours.

I'm finally getting formal pictures developed. I have a sneaking suspicion that the guy at the photo place is trying to cheat me. Or at least make me spend as much money as I can. Convinced me to get doubles and same day service. Bah. I'll give the doubles to Jen...payment for lending me her camera.

Homing came back this weekend. He brought his hamster (named Boh-Boh; means 'ball' in Cantonese) home, too. After mom and dad exploded, they admitted he was really cute and are going to let us keep him at home. Ha! Ten years after dad initially promised us a pet, we finally get one! He looks a little like this:

Find your emotion!

Who are YOU most like?

What is your meaning of life?

what's your battle cry? |
mewing.net | merchandise!

Formal!

Despite predictions of thunderstorms and cloudy skies all day friday, it was beautifully sunny in the afternoon yesterday, just in time for the formal. Wrote an English ISU (thesis: something about Jakob Beer's conflict between his past and present and how that "illuminated the meaning of the work as a whole"), and an Economics "test".

Alli, Monique, Kathleen, Ainslie and I went downtown to get our hair done. Thanks to A&M, who both have more hair than is humanly possible, we got back to M's house at 6 PM. Five girls scrambling to get ready in half an hour is a pretty funny sight. I think M's 15-year-old brother has been permanently scarred: we took over the top floor, one in each room to get ready, but in the rush off tearing off clothes and pulling on dresses, A left her bra lying on his bed. Not good. Not good at all.

Limo ($15/person! Very good deal) got there at 6.30, along with Kathryn, her date, Hart (a.k.a. Kathleen's chunk of feta), and Dave (M's date: "big Dave, not little Dave"). Spent 10 minutes tripping on the curving staircase as all the girls lined up for some pictures. Tripped getting into the limo. Ride to the Metropolitan was...lurchy. Poor Ainslie almost stabbed herself putting on her corsage. We pressed the 'floor-on' button, but nothing happened. Later we learned it was for ventilation (disappointed; expected disco lights and/or vibrating). Tripped getting out of the limo. Got to the reception, tripped on the stairs. I'm sensing a theme here. Met up with Jen (in her insanely expensive, yet spiffy dress), Tiff and Ming. Got sat on by Ming.

Dinner was good (salad, chicken and mousse cake-tower-thingie). Our waiter, whom we affectionally dubbed Mr. Crankypants, managed to tell off all of the guys at the table for not arranging their cutlery in the proper 'I'm-done-please-take-my-plate' position. DJ played mostly hip-hop; high point was "Fight For Your Right" by the Beastie Boys, and "Home For a Rest" by Spirit of the West. Eventually, we all had to take off our shoes to dance (guys are lucky, no heels).

On the way home, we went to McDonald's drive-through for ice cream. In the limo. Kathryn wanted to actually go inside (like the commercial), but all too tired. Debated the idea of going through the carwash too, but decided against it. Tripped leaving M's house. All in all, a fun (but painful) evening.

Thus ends the longest entry in the history of Non Sequitur. Stay tuned for more when Hoyan catches up on her sleep.

A not so beautiful, very balmy 29 C today. But perfect ice cream weather.

Mar har har.

Ah...a beautiful, balmy 19 C today.

Saw Ice Age yesterday. The baby was kind of freaky at first (football head...like the evil kid in the Family Guy), but he was so predictably cute, what with the hugs and tears and pulling out Manny's hair, after a while I got used to it. Oh, and apparently his name is Roshan.

Formal in 10 days and I still have no shoes.

"OFFERED- YEAR 1 BACHELOR OF SCIENCE"

I've been accepted to Queen's! YES! Aha ha ha ha ha! I just checked the online application status page this morning. Early offers were sent out last Friday but mostly for scholarships and the like. Hmm...did I get a scholarship? My marks were good, but not that good. Can't wait for the mail.

One spelling edit later... let's hope they didn't see that.

On another note, I think I'm going to redesign the template. Black and white doesn't cut it when spring comes around. Unfortunatly, I can't do much until we reinstall Photoshop on the home computer (or I get off my butt and edit the images at school).

I understand magnetic flux! HUZZAH! Electromotive force makes sense! HOORAY! And the right-hand rule is not the spawn of the devil!

Where is my sunshine?
Where is my ambition?
I want my rocket ship back.
I must focus on the task at hand.

I love exploding dog.

"If it weren't for the weather, Canadians would be mute."

I forget who said that (an editorial cartoonist, I think), but it's true. Looking back at my posts, about a third of them have been commenting/complaining about the freakish weather we've been having in Toronto this year. It snowed all day yesterday. No, make that a mixture of snow, sleet, ice pellets and rain. Every person I spoke with yesterday mentioned the weather at least once.

April Foo-- Bugger. Too late again. Never mind.

Easter weekend and March Break safely (and tragically) behind me, I might actually be able to settle down and actually work this week. But considering that the Formal and Grad Skip day are coming up, it's unlikely.

Fifth day of spring and it's still snowing. I think Mother Nature is out to get me.

Scratch that. The computer is back, newly equipped with Windows XP. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

I'm visiting Kingston tomorrow, with mom, dad, Tiff and Ming. And Gen (& Co.) in her van. It's almost like the Grad trip, except it isn't sunny, warm, beachy, in Mexico or filled with my classmates. It's my brother's birthday, so we're bringing him presents. Actually, my parents are bringing him presents: a long sleeved t-shirt (orange) and a tie (pink). A light, girly pink... *cough*

Computer is gone. Needed to be fixed/ spayed/ clipped/ etc. Sporadic updates until it comes home (or until school starts again...two weeks of March Break!)

In other news, the strangest search engine referral yet: "nude picture of naveed"

Umm. Right.

I received a letter from the Mac Arts and Science Dept. Yes, early acceptance isn't until at least April for most programs, but hey, when you get a letter out of the blue from one of them, especially one that only accepts 60 people each year... Well, hope springs eternal in the human heart. Sigh. Another 'just to let you know we got your applications and please wait until April for a response.' Bugger. At least it wasn't a 'thanks for the application, but your answers to our questions were so spectacularly inane/cliched we decided a letter filled with lines and lines of gut-splitting laughter would be appropriate. Bwa ha ha ha! etc.'

Game One. Booyah. Now let's hope no one bumps me out for the next two weeks or so.

Learn Chinese in 2 minutes!

If it takes longer, try reading them aloud.



1) That's not right ....................... Sum Ting Wong

2) Are you harboring a fugitive?..... Hu Yu Hai Ding

3) See me ASAP.........................Kum Hia Nao

4) Stupid Man ............................Dum Gai

5) Small Horse ..........................Tai Ni Po Ni

6) Did you go to the beach? ........Wai Yu So Tan

7) I bumped into a coffee table .....Ai Bang Mai Ni

8) I think you need a face lift .......Chin Tu Fat

9) It's very dark in here ...............Wao So Dim

10) I thought you were on a diet ..Wai Yu Mun Ching?

11) This is a tow away zone ........No Pah King

12) Our meeting is scheduled for next week .....Wai Yu Kum Nao?

13) Staying out of sight ..............Lei Ying Lo

14) He's cleaning his automobile ..... Wa Shing Ka

15) Your body odor is offensive .......Yu Stin Ki Pu

Moby was at MuchMusic today. Keep an eye on the Much website for the picture he promised to take (Truth or Dare) in his undies (borrowed or otherwise). And to see what Moby has to say about it at his journal (updates).

University marks, "helpful boosts" and all, are being sent to the universities this Friday. So, everyone is being extra nice to their teachers this week...and then the warts begin to show. I wonder how many people will actually be at school next Monday?

Ha! Partying still going strong. On the bus going home today, I saw two guys yelling and waving a giant Canadian flag on a little island of concrete, smack dab in the middle of Yonge Street. Also a tiny blue Honda Civic sprouting a massive flag from the rear window as it raced by. This was pretty much the atmosphere at school today. Oh, and read this...it's like wrestling, only more -- something.

This 'spork-eating puck monkey' has to go eat dinner now.

Double gold in hockey! Both the Canadian hockey teams have won the gold! Both finals were great, especially the womens' game: 8 Canadian penalties in a row. 13 in all; that was almost half an hour of powerplay for the American team! Yet, they only scored one powerplay goal. I went over to my aunt's house to watch the mens' final. By the third period, we were both on the verge of having a heart attack everytime the puck got too close to the Canadian net (final score: 5 to 2). Go Canada, go!

The Closing Ceremony just finished (Bon Jovi and Moby performed...very happy). I wish it wasn't over... doping/judging scandals aside, this was a great Olympics. I think it's because it's the first one that I actually took a serious interest in (see: becoming obsessively patriotic for 17 days). Can't wait until 2004...

Next time I decide to wear heels for three hours, do me a favour and smack me upside the head. Aside from the aching feet and the witnessing of many gropy hands, the semiformal was awesome. I very graciously (see: sullenly, resentfully...) allowed Tiff and Ming to slather makeup all over my face beforehand. Okay, okay, it was only foundation, lipstick and eye...stuff (boy, am I uneducated).

Summary: Got to the Argonauts' Rowing Club and ran in accursed heels through bitterly cold parking lot. Unthawed legs. Ming's hair extensions that wouldn't stay up. Tiff and her 'young man' looked very 'kew' together. Music not bad (Naveed! Naveed! Naveed!). Note to self: do not do the Cotton-Eye Joe dance in heels unless you want blistered toes the next day. Constantly collapsing into fits of hilarty with Monique as we invented new dances: the Snoopy dance (nose up, hands waving, feet kicking), the Queen of England dance (smile toothlessly and wave), and the Mr. Bean dance (see: Busking scene). And, of course, the obligatory random yells of "Soylent green is people?! PEOPLE!" punctuating every song.

Only negative moment: Hearing someone throw up in the bathroom because they had too much to drink before. And knowing that many people were probably going to end up in that situation by the next day. Sigh.

Take This Test!



Take This Test!

With less than 7 minutes to go, Canada scores again! 4 to 1!

Two days later... Yes, yes, Canada creamed Belarus, 7 to 1. I'm just lazy and my computer was acting up.

3 to 1! Booyah!

2 to 1 for Canada!!!

Semi drama continues. Borrowed something from Ming to wear (or rather, Ming's sister...I'd trade in my brother for a couple of months, especially his wardrobe).

"Boy, I am -- in my own stupid way -- going to save the world today."

Well, it looks like I'm going to the semiformal, whether I like it or not. Tiff and Ming are pretty much forcing me to go. No problem; nothing to wear though (my friend is planning on going nude ^_^).

The robotics team was on the news yesterday. Excellent interview with Monique (currently feeling ill because she ate a few too many donuts):

"So, how does your robot work in eight seconds or less?"

"Uhh, you pull the string and it goes up, and the pistons go out and the thing goes up..."

Stupid CityTV and their stupid questions...

Go figure. Pun not intended. They deserved the gold. The judging process needs to be examined. I just wish they wouldn't call it "Skategate".

Oh ho! These university applications are tricky. In the package they send you, they say to hand the secondary application in by a certain date (say, sometime in April). What they neglect to mention in that package is that they want it in two weeks after you receive said package. They do, however, say this on the application...located in a PDF file on their website that you don't look at for weeks because it isn't "due" until April.

I already hate university and I'm not even in yet. Sigh.

Chocolate is a Vegetable:

• Chocolate is derived from cocoa beans.
  
• Bean = vegetable.
  
• Sugar is derived from either sugar CANE or sugar BEETS.
  
• Both are plants, which places them in the vegetable category.

Thus, chocolate is a vegetable.

• To go one step further, chocolate candy bars also contain milk, which is dairy.

So candy bars are a health food.

• Chocolate-covered raisins, cherries, orange slices and strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.

Remember, stressed spelled backwards is desserts.

Escalators: Stand right, walk left, con sarnit!

A couple of days ago, Moby gave a list of his 'geek credentials.' Funny, because this morning, Ainslie, Monique and I had a debate about the couples on Voyager. For 20 minutes.

"Seven should have ended up with Kim! Janeway should be with Chakotay."

"Eww! No one should end up with Chakotay!"

Afterwards, the conversation just kind of petered out. Before that, we were spazzing about how Monique never watched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as a kid (so deprived). The other people in the gym were giving us funny looks. What? Oh.... Yes, yes. We are such geeks.

Okay, maybe I haven't learned. Went out today with Monique and bought half a dozen donuts at CoffeeTime. But I wore my jacket this time.

Sick today. I've learned that it isn't a good idea to run around Yonge Street without a jacket in February. While in your tunic. To buy ice cream. And on the day that a cold-weather alert is issued.

First driving lesson today. If that's not a nerve-wracking experience, I don't know what is. Picked a perfect day, two days after the only snowstorm we've had this winter. Actually, not a bad drive, except I am apparently unable to make a decent left turn.

I think my uncles are having a contest to see who can sport the most obvious combover.

"Where the hell did all this snow come from?" - Pippin

It figures. January is tottering along on it's last legs, when BAM! Here's a pile of snow. Enjoy!

Actually, I don't really mind. Snow is pretty (a bit wet and cold and inconvenient), but pretty. And winter in Toronto just isn't the same without a dose of the white stuff. Hoo hoo! Where's my sled?

Hey! Mr. Bus Driver! Stop pulling away right when I get to the door! Maybe if I yell loud enough, he'll hear me.

Have finally received all my university packages: "Dear # 20542145, We have received your application and are delighted you are considering ________ University. Please complete these six supplementary applications in 4 days and dance a little dance so we can laugh and play god with your future. Ha ha ha."

Ahhh.... For the first time in weeks, I did absolutely no homework last night. And watched A Perfect Murder on tv. Scary scary scary. David you scumbag! That's okay, he makes up for it in LOTR.

Parent Teacher interviews tonight, so all classes shortened. Chem presentation last period, therefore I'm guessing that people will be raring (it that right?) to get out. That's okay. I'll bribe them with sparklers. Mweh heh.

More LotR shtuff.
- What? Aragorn smiling? That can't be right.
- Speculation on deleted scenes.
- Paulo's opinions.
- Cast info, and stuff you didn't need to know, but hey, it's funny, so take a look.
- TheOneRing.net
- Who needs the Abominable Snowman?
- From the plastic POV.
- An educational experience.

I've been reading through some of the Q&A at Green Books. My head hurts. Need to read Silmarillion again.

You know you're stressed when you write "Optimitation Problems" instead of "Optimization Problems" as the title for your calc note. And when you write "January Test" instead of "Calculus Test" in your agenda. And when you don't notice for two days. And when you can't unlock your locker because your standing at #347, not #346.

Kill pop-ups. Spread the love.

You know you're stressed when you break into tears of gratitude when your physics teacher lets the class have a work period.

I am Dimple Chubb-Baggins, Legolas and Arwen. And according to Anya, I'm Fuzzyhead, an Ent (Entwife?). I think I'm having an identity crisis.

Godzillaaaaa!! Well, not really, but you'll get the point.

Patrick Swayze Super Mullet. Yes, a super mullet. I'm adding this link to my list, partly because of the title, but more because it's a Spiffy Blog. It reminds me of Heggs. Heggs, is this some secret website you've been working on? No, no. Heggs would be raving about Joydrop and Scratching Post, not Weezer.

Adjacent: "it's my nineteeth birthday today! who thought the day would ever come when i'd finally be of legal age to drink, smoke, and club (perhaps not all simultaneously) -- well, in vancouver, canada anyway. but i can't picture myself doing any of the above. beer tastes like rancid urine (i'm guessing), smoke is just smelly, and clubs are quite simply the brothels of many, many desperate singletons. and i choose to be non-desperate." Amen to that. People are surprised when I tell them that I'm surpised that so-and-so smokes/drinks/gets high every other weekend.

rosebaby. Damn. I have to stop clicking on 'Recently Updated Blogs'. Too many interesting things to read.