Review - Steig Larsson

Perhaps it wasn't the brightest idea to start reading the series right before the long Easter / Spring Break - I did it anyway. Three books down from a long list of books I've ought to read. Well also my first review of a book anyway. As usual, just sharing my thoughts about them and how I felt after.

If you didn't know, I'm an avid reader - give me a book that seems to have a good introduction I'll finish it in no time. I ran through the first books in a jiffy, but the third took some patience and some time. It's probably also because the books got progressively lounger and the plot gets so twisted, complex and intriguing.

Steig Larsson's millennium series about the adventures of a girl named Salander often referred to as somewhat similar figure to Astrid Lindgren's Pippi Långstrump. One of the major things that really pushed the novels forward was Larsson's ability to create the entire plot even though there is seemingly no plot progression.

In the first of the series, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo seemed fragmented, it was out of context and it was extremely disjointed. The first few chapters were the introductions of major characters Mikael Blomkvist, Salander herself and some other major characters you should indulge yourself in. As much as it was confusing, it ultimately allowed for each climax of the novels to be truly unique and make you continually turn the page even though it may be late at night. I would often hear the birds chirping and see the sun rise - although not healthy that's what happens.

Anyway, his style for building up each novel has been incredible; each like a layer of cake and the climax of each novel like frosting. I really hope his partner or wife, don't remember can really finish some of his other started drafts of future books. Sadly, Larsson passed away before he came to this extraordinary fame of a novel that has been globally distributed and translated into other languages.

I love his influences too - Pippi Långstrump - the renowned story of the red head with a sac of gold, American & British crime / detective fiction authors. Such a great author who didn't get the chance to shine.

No Pressure

As much as I believe I should be worried for my exams - I don't feel like it's really happening. There will be two more days until my first exam. An unseen commentary on prose or a poem. What will it be; I don't really feel the anxiety. Perhaps it's the fact I absolutely don't need the marks from IB to get into uni. So who the eff cares!

So here I sit here, playing for "Ingrid is a Unicorn" - as much as I am enjoying the time playing volleyball it's not the same calibre. As much as there is the joy of playing volleyball again - it's just as disappointing when players don't have the same level of passion for it. So much for studying geography, as that epically failed and I knew that it would be a waste of time. It comes with the job as president.

Exams are truly around the corner but who is to say that one cannot slack off and screw the exams. It's just a made up number trying to assess how well you do in the school. If you've read before it's just an imaginary number out of 7, that everyone tries to pursue - also the fact that people don't realize that there is only a certain percentile that can achieve it. So why be such a nerd all the time and hide at home, isolating yourself from the world.

University is just right there a few months away. A new life, a whole new world, new friends - a new place to explore. What more is there to ask for? Carpe diem - to the majority of my life; only get one so might as well live it up while you still have time. It's like those people who say they'll go see the world after they finish this, or after they retire - simply just sucks all the life literally out of it.

Perhaps a more cynical way to see things today, no stress whatsoever; but I'm definitely looking forward to be away from here well technically just away from the people who freak out about funny numbers.

Snail Mail 0.2

How exciting is it to get snail mailed. Today in the post, I got two postcards!! 1 from the Netherlands and the other from Malaysia. I also got a letter from Lithuania - from my pen pal.

Something that I didn't expect in the mail today. But it's pretty awesome when you have that rush of adrenaline when there's something in the post!

Anyway pictures of stamps & postcards can be found in the tabs...

Snail Mail

Post offices have been around for centuries. A useful form of communication that has unfortunately become obsolete. With the modern age of technology, e-mails have simply replaced the post office, stamps and waiting period. Even more recently, the boom of smart phones have rendered the once almighty form of communication between nations to the pits. A walk through Hong Kong today, it's hard to miss whether it be on the bus, MTR, grocery shopping - people are simply attached texting away or the hip thing "What's App" people.

Urban life today has lost its joy of when someone receives mail in their letterbox. My first encounters with snail mail were perhaps like any other child's of the 90s - mailing to Santa. I remember it was a class thing we had to do, but it was that very address we would put back that I distinctively recall,

SANTA CLAUS
NORTH POLE
H0H 0H0
CANADA

A few weeks later, all of us in the class wold receive back in the mail, kind regards from this jolly fellow in the red suit. It was the excitement that accompanied any mail that I've received. More recently, I would say snail mail from friends back home is also exciting. It's perhaps just as CH described it a couple weeks back when I drafted this post; they actually took the effort to write it.

The youthful generation has lost this great wonder of sending and receiving mail resorting to more convenient forms of communications. As much as those do serve a more efficient purpose why render something that has stuck with us for so many centuries in the back of the line? Not at all am I being cynical, people simply haven't been exposed sufficiently to appreciate the system.

Snail mail: It may be slow, but it's totally worth paying for that stamp.

Just cus we're Fans.

Couldn't resist a double post for the day. I have no clue where my blue, white, green jersey went but I had trouble finding it. Sporting a hockey jersey with chips, drinks and perhaps not the most hockey friendly way of watching NHL, a computer - I sat diligently paying close attention to every movement of the game.

While others argue that it's hard to see the puck, or that the scoring is low - maybe even that they think hockey is just a scramble for a small ball flattened… It's HOCKEY. and it's HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA. One of those events were nation wide people tune in on the radio, sit at the sports bar or in the comfort of their own home to watch the big game.

Tonight's game featuring Canucks & Blackhawks was the craze. Canucks lost their 3-0 series lead, and it was looking grim for them. Being back from the road at least they were on home turf tonight. The crowds are raging as the national anthems play.

D. Sedin hopping on the ice in front of Crawford

Period 1 - Kesler & Burrows change the face of the game - a goal lead.
Period 3 - Penalty Duncan Keith for Tripping - Burrows rips the penalty shot
              - Short Handed Goal by Toews
OT - Alex Burrows with the glove catch and into the net.

R.Kesler & A. Burrows after OT goal

Kudos to Crawford - Amazing saves, and perhaps the reason why they did tie the score in the 3rd.

Crawford in the butterfly

Simply amazing, history was made during the series with the penalty shots and the final OT in game 7. No luck finding my jersey, at least I know that it's here somewhere or back home tucked away in a box. Either way jersey or not, 2nd round is to come.

Large embrace of the Van. Canucks

Exciting games tomorrow as well as the Canadiens face off with the Bruins for game 7. If you're not up to date or simply not a fan, Lucic faces a suspension from the boarding call on Spacek  Well, its time to start some studying again. Can't wait for 2nd round for 'nucks.

Snail Mail

Post offices have been around for centuries. A useful form of communication that has unfortunately become obsolete. With the modern age of technology, e-mails have simply replaced the post office, stamps and waiting period. Even more recently, the boom of smart phones have rendered the once almighty form of communication between nations to the pits. A walk through Hong Kong today, it's hard to miss whether it be on the bus, MTR, grocery shopping - people are simply attached texting away or the hip thing "What's App" people.

Local Post Boxes

Urban life today has lost its joy of when someone receives mail in their letterbox. My first encounters with snail mail were perhaps like any other child's of the 90s - mailing to Santa. I remember it was a class thing we had to do, but it was that very address we would put back that I distinctively recall,

SANTA CLAUS
NORTH POLE
H0H 0H0
CANADA

A few weeks later, all of us in the class wold receive back in the mail, kind regards from this jolly fellow in the red suit. It was the excitement that accompanied any mail that I've received. More recently, I would say snail mail from friends back home is also exciting. It's perhaps just as CH described it a couple weeks back when I drafted this post; they actually took the effort to write it.

The youthful generation has lost this great wonder of sending and receiving mail resorting to more convenient forms of communications. As much as those do serve a more efficient purpose why render something that has stuck with us for so many centuries in the back of the line? Not at all am I being cynical, people simply haven't been exposed sufficiently to appreciate the system.

Snail mail: It may be slow, but it's totally worth paying for that stamp.

#02 Weekly Photo

Walking with a Purpose

Dumplings & Birthdays

Perhaps that annual event that everyone waits for, their birthday! The presents come in, everyone wishes you happy birthday and truly it is an event filled with narcissism. Well not this year, well it's not even about my birthday, so people like SG don't go around saying that I'm so 寸.

Anyway, I didn't really plan out my day. It was one of those weekends where there was a family gathering with my maternal aunts, uncles, grandmother, great aunt + extended family I don't know how to translate into English. For the three years I've been here, there have been plenty of gatherings, and this one didn't really shout out to me as special. I went anyway. Set out at 10 am, to go hunting for this cake shop in Tin Hau that my mother forgot the address to, we went block to block for about 45 minutes and all I could think about is why I chose not to eat breakfast! Walking through the metal gate of my grandmother's flat it was food haven. Extended family all gathered around the table to make yummy home made dumplings.

WOOO mine ( :

How awesome does this look? 

Something we've always done randomly, just gather make our own and then cook em and eat em. Then savor the juices and become stuffed like teddy bears.

Dinner as usual was lavished with all sorts of food, that I don't have the patience to go through and discuss, but the birthday cakes rolled out. It's my great aunt's birthday, one of those joyful moments that we share as an entire extended family. It really goes to show how the hard ships come by and go especially this year. Since her last birthday everything imaginable could happen - shattered hip, going under twice, medications, hospitals, doctors.

Age is not what defines us - the mind behind the body is what does. She may be going on to hit a century + a decade we must take the time to celebrate and appreciate the things we do have now.

Cousins + G. Aunt + Grandmother

McDonald's New Market

McDonald's, that fast food chain store just down the street, or in my case a short walk from my flat - perhaps like me many of you have worked in one of these stores at some point of your life. I was surfing the net last night and I stumbled upon a Reuters article about McDonald's new market of McWeddings.

McDonald's Wedding - Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, a city filled with hustle and bustle a family would often celebrate their child's birthday at the restaurant. There was cake, Happy Meals, gifts - all the McDonald's related products you could think of. At the beginning of this year, the franchise rolled out McWeddings in Hong Kong. The first formal wedding took place on Valentine's day where a lovely couple had a cake stacked of apple pies and I would happily assume loads of other McDonald's junk food. Not to mention, you can get gown rentals, balloon corsages and who could miss the oversized golden arches.

Taken by tartlime in TST, 2007

The large TNC glocalized to the hip young population of Hong Kong and allows them to have wedding receptions costing $1282 CDN. Simply showing how TNCs dominate the world and how they have become integrated into our lives. In retrospect, it goes to show how our generation has become the generation to completely lose tradition and maybe values. The speed warp of technology allowing the connection of hundreds of thousands people from Canada to Australia, is simply changing how many perceive their cultures. Perhaps we should live like the Amish.

Politics - Upcoming Elections

As much as I didn't really think of politics since grade 10 when there was an upcoming election at the end of Honourable PM Stephen Harper's first term. It actually wasn't surprising that he was elected for a second term in the office. Overall in his first term he did adhere to his platform, most notable adjustment is the decrease in GST from 7% to 5%.

Last night, I was talking to OG and she brought up the Canadian version of the presidential debate on CBC. So I took the liberty in the late hours at night to watch it. Lone and behold we have the Tories, bloc Québécois, Liberals and NDP poking holes in everyone's platform. For those who aren't so attached to politics; a brief summary of the last decade and so forth.

1993 - 2003: PM Jean Chrétien (Liberal) - In the last two decades, the best PM Canada has seen. Some highlights: Eliminating federal deficit, Québec sovereignty referendum (voted against and the former PM named Québec a distinct society). But this is all probably due to the fact he also had a large majority government.

2003 - 2006: PM Paul Martin (Liberal) - Although apposed to same-sex marraige in '99, our PM changed views and supported the issue in '04 in turn allowing a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Canada. Foreign relations also stopped short, as Canada was unable to reach the foreign aid target and lastly, he lost his minority government when there was a vote of no-confidence.

2006 - Present: PM Stephen Harper (Conservative) - This is his second term in office and he really hasn't done much. He did close down parliament twice under his reign, he was also the first government to lose the confidence of House of Commons due to Contempt of the Parliament. Again a minority government. Oh, he also lost Canada's seat on the UN security council.

So with this vote coming up and the ability to see how these men battle it out like children over chocolate goes to show, how politics is one messed up world. Each party has a flaw and noe one can predict the future of Canada. The platforms also bring insight into the views of the parties, but perhaps the most disturbing is voter turnout has decreased for the last century. The fact that currently over half the population is determining the government is a joke. Go out, do some research and vote.

#01 Weekly Photo

Going to start a weekly blog roll. I'll try my best to keep up with uploading and all that!

Passing through Central, HK

Hike: The Peak to South Horizons

I had no idea why I suddenly came up with the idea to go hiking. It was a rather random idea and I just wanted to splurge and expend some of my energy. Perhaps it was also knowing about the endorphin high after too. It was Friday night and I decided to join a meet up group using the power of the world wide web. I then noticed that they were doing a hike on Saturday. Totally perfect timing. A day off and I can go explore some of Hong Kong!

View of Victoria Harbour - It's kinda smoggy.

So I meet up with 30-40 complete strangers and we went on this hike. Yes a bit random but it turned out alright, it was an opportunity to meet new people and do some networking. I really didn't know what to expect other than the fact that we were going to meet up in Central and bus up to the Peak and hike down to some random part of the island. I figured out that Tin Wan was just a small area close to Aberdeen. Learned something new so what the heck.

South Horizons

The hike was an easy one - better be phrased as more of a social event then intense hiking. But by no means was it not tiring. Up and down the paved roads of hiking trail we went. A cool breeze flew by us once in a while and it was refreshing! The solitude from the urbanized city was also a relief, with the exception of this oddly loud whirring noises from the Queen Mary Hospital for 10 minutes.

Another thing I learned on my 4 hour trip was that apparently there is a horse academy or what not ran by the Jockey Club. They have lessons or what not with old racing horses, and part of the trail were horse trails. An interesting thing to learn and a reflection of the past when I once galloped through the fields. I miss though times that lasted over several years. : (

Aberdeen Harbour taken from Ap Lei Chau Bridge

Once arriving at Tin Wan, I decided to add a couple kilometers to my hike. Perhaps it wasn't the brightest idea already walking 12 km. But what the heck, I walked home. Other than that absurdly bad smelling of burning diesel by the harbour it's a-ok. I wasn't surprised to see some random floating plastic bags in the harbour - but it just makes you think of all the crap people chuck into our waters… But that's another topic for later.

Sore as heck but oh wells it was fun meeting new people!

Today Marks the Last Day of Classes

Whether it be the fact we are moving on into university next year, or today is finally the day that most of us have wished for a really long time. Today is it. Today is the last official day of classes. Who knew that time would fly past us so quickly this year. 

It went by like flash, zoom - especially right after the Christmas break. It was first mocks then the dreaded rush of handing in all the IAs, then of course a load of more material and tests and what not. The last two days really mark the end of the high school life. The shortened week started with an exhilarating day at the track. Although it was quite warm, and many - the ones with pale skin at least had really nice burns. We were amazing. As a team that has probably a combined total of 10 practices, we did awesome. SW, CDC, BL, GK. Relay Team Crushers. It was a tough battle where we all fulfilled our intended purposes and ran with our hearts out. Reaping in the gold for 4x100 & 4x400. It's awfully the adrenaline rush that flows through and the ache that is associated with the buttocks that gives you that natural high. Track has done us all a favor, as it also marks the end of that athletic career with medals. 

Tuesday was simply a blur, starting off with homemade pb cookies and oatmeal cookies. Of course accompanied with short films by the other class. Today was even better. Pancakes with M & Ms, chocolate and maple syrup. Gluten-free Brownies baked by PL although on the sweet side, AMAZING to eat w/ another round of films. Anyway, it truly is the start of the break as we all study are heads off. Something I haven't started but very may well soon start with lots of exams. 

Days When the Sun Ceases to Shine...

It's that wonderful feeling you get, the glow through your window and the feeling of warmth on your skin. You have to admit lately the weather hearer has been very unpredictable. With weekends cold that you have to pull out that jacket you just packed away, coming to the weekdays where you have to find that t-shirt you wouldn't see for another couple of weeks. Climate change has called upon all this bizarre temperature fluctuations.

However, the last week has been steadily sunny, with the occasional cool breeze. In all, great without the stagnant air and the heat that is to come here in Hong Kong. Seeing this weather, it is a pity that my room doesn't get anymore sunlight than it usually does. Through the miraculous placement of my room, The sun never shines into it at sundown nor sunset, and evidently neither spring or winter. Although this is depressing my room will soon be no longer as we all venture off into the dorms of university.

Which really makes us think, how fast these last weeks will pass and the tears we'll shed for our family, friends and everyone else in between. Where ever we will go, the sun will continue to shine. It'll be that exact same feeling as I feel the sun on my skin today. Although many weeks are ahead till I leave this place, it makes you wonder what the future holds and what the world will bring to your doorstep. It finally feels like Spring here. Summer will soon take over with its sweltering hot rays but then Autumn will take it away. Wherever I may be I will have a chance to see the landscape of yellowing trees and falling leaves - something I have missed very much.

Nearing the Last Days of High School

It may not have been apparent when we first started the school year, that it's finally our turn to play the role models of the school as seniors. It was always that thing when you entered as a freshman or rather when I was in grade 8 back home to dream to be a senior. It was the year that all of us viewed to be the best year of high school. Perhaps it played out quite differently here in Hong Kong with IB exams and all that fun stuff. It was more a challenge that was unprecedented.

High school has been simply a place of joy, although it wasn't the easiest time either it was well worth it. The DP programme had it tough for us, with the internal assessments and two years of material that I need to start studying for. But coming today, that it was the last Friday that I will ever be in high school it signals that a chapter is coming to a close and another is going to be written very soon.

The last weeks before we walk up to the podium and the valedictorian speaks on behalf of the class of 2011, we will be studying hard, partying hard after that. It comes to show how the last four years have really flown by with a flash. To me it feels like yesterday that I flew thousands of miles away from a place where I called home to a new school. For others, this was always their home and some rare occasions leaving HK to somewhere new. Wherever we may be during this time before the last weeks of high school fades away. I feel like it's a time of reflection and what I've accomplished over the years here.

However, don't fret! Especially the ones of us completing the stupid DP programme. Well, it's not a stupid programme but you get the gist of what I'm trying to get at. Study hard, and wish you good luck. As I have procrastinated through the first 10 days of my studying schedule. Hope that you have been more successful than I have been. Again, there's another 6 weeks till we say our good byes to our teachers, but it's never truly good bye only temporarily will we be missing for a short time in the hallways of CDNIS.

The Electric Car

Few months back I watched the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car. Recently, with all the news about car manufacturers ranging from Porshe to Rolls-Royce they are all designing electric cars. It really sheds the light how after two decades since the first electrical vehicles (EVs) had rolled out we're finally reconsidering the usage of them. A short note no the documentary itself; it shows how large TNCs especially petrol & gas companies such as Chevron have control over so many things that we don't really think about. It also shows how General Motors (GM) has been controversial in the subject of EVs. Where one day, they promote the crap out of it and consumers are like OMG I would like to do something for the environment and then the next day turn back and cut the whole project out by recalling EV1s. They ended up crushing them even though they were fully functional.

Then two months after I watched this disturbing documentary, I fell onto Ontario EV initiative. Recently in the province, adopters of plug-in hybrids and EVs were subject for a rebate program ranging from $5 000 - $8 000 CDN. So I took the liberty to look into it in more detail.  The initiative to promote the use of EVs as they strongly believed that petrol and gas isn't the way to go. On top of it they have installed eight new electric vehicle charging stations in Southern Ontario.

Anyway, although the EV industry has been crushed by oil companies who obviously don't desire the shift from the polluting to environmentally friendly option, we can be hopeful for the future. The industry is growing at a rapid pace now as the environment is no longer an issue that a common consumer can avoid. It's the little steps that we take that count. We don't have to be a strong activist of any sort, just do your part, tell some friends and the world will become a better place.

清明節 Ching Ming

Ching Ming Jeet (清明節), perhaps an obscure holiday for many from the expatriate world in Hong Kong - a public holiday for all, so who cares? It's rather interesting to delve deeper into Chinese culture and seek the meaning of these long practiced traditions. 

Short History Lesson: The festival usually falls on the 5th term of the Gow lik (舊曆) [traditional lunar calendar] or for the modern day person April 4th or 5th. Anyway, the more important history. In 1st century BCE, Emperor XuangZong (唐玄宗) decided that not only aristocratic families of that era could have extravagant ceremonies and celebrations - he declared that everyone was allotted to pay formal respects for their ancestors. The day, usually an excursion to a secluded area where ancestors are buried consists of sweeping and weeding of the graves of the family. Ever since, Ching Ming (清明) has been practiced since then, but come the modern day, graves are no longer swept with flowers but with dusters. That's an extremely long time, another certainty to note is the fact that the Communist Part of China had repealed the public holiday from 1949 and reinstated it in 2008. Although this didn't affect families in paying respect for their lost family, it comes to show the strong actions of the government on tradition. It is practiced in Hong Kong, Macau, China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore.

Families hustling and bustling...

More into the Celebration: Heung (香) or referred as joss sticks are often lighted whether it be a celebratory day or not. In addition to the burning of the incense in respect for the ones who have passed, there is a burning of yuen bo (元寶), zi dek yi fuk (紙的衣服), che (車). Nowadays, any other paper made fashion items for those in the afterlife. There is a strong belief that the burning of these paper effigies is from the living to the dead in the afterlife, so that they may prosper and live a life in riches - something that many do not have the luxury to. On top of all this, there is the offering of a variety of foods including, siu yu zu (烤乳猪), jing gai (蒸雞), fruit and wine.

Anyway, to end off this lengthy lesson - it's simply out of respect why we Chinese do this. It's also that saying we always have where family comes first. It's perhaps again another excuse for a large family dinner with a multi-course dinner.

Boo Ya. Acceptance!

Perhaps today has been a quite eventful day. First period went through boring as usual, English with my teacher is pure torture. As much as I did mostly enjoy the reading of Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, it's quite dry when others in my class haven't read the play. It's like come on, please bring something to the table so that this class can be interesting!

Chemistry, teacher gave us the break down of the studies we should be doing and will do over the course of the next couple weeks. Biology was a long day, as much as a teacher can be motivating for you to learn more it was like a whatever class, since I wanted to return to my novel.

Lunch came and went. I had a meeting with psych which was just all about me. Narcism to the max, just a session all about me and my stressful life. I kept getting calls today, but then I realized it was from my mom. So quickly after the meeting I called, leaving the guidance office wondering if my parents were just going to ditch me for dinner. Turns out I got FedExed. WOO, I feel special already, I told my parents to open up the package and see what I got. A great pre-birthday present with an acceptance letter to Queen's in Kingston!

A dream I had for quite some time now, three years. Although not my top choice programme who could argue for a BSc Honours program offer with a condition of 75. Anyway, today was a happy day. Ended off with some random talk with SLM, CH of course and a short one with BD about the adventures of geography, the applications and some need to reads.

Hey, but look at it this way, I'm not the only one hearing back from unis. SG = CU Law & Queen's Commerce. OG = CU Law. CH = EC, ACAD. CC = McGill, UT, Queen's. It's the frenzy of the month and next as well!

Time to stop blogging since I've blogged so much this week already, and instead of chemistry today - back to Larsson's mind captivating novel.

Hooked on Books

It's often a trap I always fall into... Pick up any old novel especially the ones that involve crime, mystery well anything practically... I don't drop the book till my eyes are sore realizing that the sun may be about to rise the next day.

Haven't read many books the last couple years, but the books I've read this year have been quite interesting.

This school year's first non-school book I picked up was Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah. Something I picked up on my flight back from Malaysia in November. Extremely quick read finished it in 6-7 hours. A short summary: It's a memoir written of Mah's childhood and youth, the entire story revolves around about her life in Hong Kong when many fled from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. Her life depicted has been very tough facing a stone hard mother who would always favor Mah's step brother and sister. The memoir simply shows the harsh life of a child during that era. For me it was more of a historical read and something to learn more about HK.

The next book I picked out was one written by my tutor, Jason Ng, Hong Kong State of Mind. A collection of his essays varying from his adventures to nearby countries and of course his own reflection of Hong Kong as a whole. His expatriate view of HK is very similar to mine, and evoked some peculiar thoughts about societal life here. Anyway, another great read.

Two or three weeks ago, I picked up Hong Kong Rose by Xu Xi. Thought it would be a good read, again it's memoir, based in a more modern HK. However, I've never actually gotten to finish it. As much as there was a plot and all that, it wasn't a very motivating read. I've read the first 4-5 chapters but there is seemingly no progression in story nor have I seen the conflict. Other than the hinted shadows of Rose's past that plays out in the story with her upper-class boyfriend.

Today, I scored a deal while I was out mailing out something to my friend in Canada. Shocking, snail-mail!! Anyway, it was just in the open area of the mall by my flat. Buy 2 and get the 3rd free. At first, I wasn't very intrigued, I just thought to myself, "Probably some outdated books and in Chinese anyway." Well I was wrong, I took another look and there was a corner of English covers of some bestsellers. Not a huge Twilight fan so I skipped that immediately, I crossed over some Mitch Albom, Malcolm Gladwell. All great authors and books, but not anything I was looking forward to read. Then I came to the non-fiction, looked through the piles then I saw it. Steig Larsson's Millenium series. Something that I've meant to read for a long time but never got to it?

Anyway, I picked it out came up to a total of $160. Which is a crazy deal. I started an hour ago and I'm quite intrigued by the plot. Going to start making up a summer reading list and I need to find a way to get rid of the books at my place that are stacking up. (Knowing HK's flat's sizes, I'm running out of space!)

The Beginning of the End

It's been quite awhile that I have dreaded the beginning of the end. Perhaps I should have started earlier! Who knows, what it is now is now. I distinctly remember in March speaking with PL where he tells me don't leave it to the end, PLAN ahead. So I'm technically still planning, just merely 3 weeks before the beginning of the end.

So what will I do in the next 30 days before the catastrophic events of May 2011? Study my butt off and shut myself out from the outside world. With the exception of some running activities and ranting off to CH.

The last two years boils down to how I do next month! That's great, so if I mess over and the pieces don't fall when I start in 33 days. I'm screwed.

Being optimistic is rather good; and I'm actually happy it is the beginning of the end, because at the end... I am free. Free from the stresses of IB and I can burn all my notes up into flames.

Perhaps a photo of that when I reach the end?

Just another thought, while editing this post that I drafted a couple days ago. Now that I've got a schedule set, it's sticking to the schedule rather than tucking it away into a far undesired corner. So far, I'm already behind!! So let's hope this weekend sheds some new light.