My Rambles
Thursday, December 30, 2004
I know this is a late post, but I should still write about it
I've been reading up more and more about the survivor accounts after the earthquake. I pray that those who have lost their loved ones may be able to find comfort, and that those who are still in the middle of the disaster field will get some help soon.
Canadian Red Cross
1-800-418-1111
(or donate through your local Red Cross office)
UNICEF Canada
1-800-567-4483
2200 Yonge St., Suite 1100
Toronto, Ont. M4S 2C6
Oxfam Canada
1-800-466-9326
Asian Earthquake/Floods Relief, Oxfam Canada
200-215 Spadina Avenue
Toronto, Ont. M5T 2C7
World Vision Canada
1-800-268-5528
CARE Canada
1-800-267-5232
Médecins Sans Frontières
1-800 982-7903
Foster Parents Plan
1-800-387-1418
Canadian Relief Organization for Peace in Sri Lanka
416-429-2822
Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa
Tsunami relief fund
613-724-1100
ICNA Relief
1-866-637-4357
Canadian Tamil Congress
416-751-8777
Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace
1-888-664-3387
Christian Children’s Fund
Mennonite Central Committee
1-888-622-6337
Salvation Army
Donation line: 1-800-725-2769
Links taken from the CBC website
I've been reading up more and more about the survivor accounts after the earthquake. I pray that those who have lost their loved ones may be able to find comfort, and that those who are still in the middle of the disaster field will get some help soon.
Canadian Red Cross
1-800-418-1111
(or donate through your local Red Cross office)
UNICEF Canada
1-800-567-4483
2200 Yonge St., Suite 1100
Toronto, Ont. M4S 2C6
Oxfam Canada
1-800-466-9326
Asian Earthquake/Floods Relief, Oxfam Canada
200-215 Spadina Avenue
Toronto, Ont. M5T 2C7
World Vision Canada
1-800-268-5528
CARE Canada
1-800-267-5232
Médecins Sans Frontières
1-800 982-7903
Foster Parents Plan
1-800-387-1418
Canadian Relief Organization for Peace in Sri Lanka
416-429-2822
Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa
Tsunami relief fund
613-724-1100
ICNA Relief
1-866-637-4357
Canadian Tamil Congress
416-751-8777
Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace
1-888-664-3387
Christian Children’s Fund
Mennonite Central Committee
1-888-622-6337
Salvation Army
Donation line: 1-800-725-2769
Links taken from the CBC website
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
North Agincourt / S.A.M. Reunion #2
Grade 6 picture of our class - I'm fourth from the left on the second row
Last night, I invited a bunch of friends who I hadn't seen since I left the French Immersion Program in grade 8. Having spent most of my childhood playing and learning with them, I remember how it felt like we belonged to a big family. I'd used to label myself as one of the "french immersion kids".
But after leaving the Ghetto's in grade 8 to go to the Arts Program at Earl Haig S.S., I lost touch with all of them for over 9 years. Seeing these people for the first time since then was crazy. At first I was afraid that they wouldn't recognize me or include me as one of them (seeing how the rest of them ended up in the same high school together), but bringing back old stories and old games that we used to play together brought us that much closer. I realized that things like "jail break" (later changed to "cops and robbers" to escape Mr Vanderyacht's wrath), playing red A, sliding down the hill, being Umpire for baseball, Mr Charbonneau's grade 4 dance, Fun Fair, DDT & Pickles, Max, Foothockey, "C'est la roque des dinosaur", Quebec trip are among some of the things that only we French Immersion kids from North A cherished. These people were the ones in my childhood who made me who I am today.
We ended up being in the same class since Senior Kindergarden all the way up to grade 8 -- and OAC for some of them (with a little over 30 of us). Seeing them again brought back memories that I had completely forgotten.
I'm proud to say that we all turned out pretty good -- no one became a drug dealer, no one became a pimp, no one was murdered =P. The people who I remembered from the past stayed the same. From yesterday, I could see that the bubbly, funny and sweet Michelle who I used to play the fast slapping hand game with was still the same sweet Michelle, the soft-spoken Bradley who used to make people laugh was still the same "undercover brat", the pro-athlete Matt ended up studying at Penn State U on full scholarship for cross country - training everyday and running at least 55 miles a week, Jay is studying culinary school and working all over the world, Kamla / Nafisa (and Michelle) are studying Psychology and science related stuff like me, Eric is Happily MARRIED, and so might Sara V. All my friends hadn't changed at all. They were simply bigger versions of themselves, transposed into bodies that were more matured, more confident and more intelligent.
Kristen Peach and Lisa Ranken - I was so intimidated by these two when I was little
We talked for hours, reminescing old stories of horrible teachers, gross accidents, embarassing moments... teachers who we all made fun of, teachers who we made them cry, teachers who used to yell at us... It was through these conversations that I really realized what a brat I was. I was one mean bully who didn't look like one at all.
Val Tan, Janet, Michelle, Anastasia, Ivy and me
Looking back at my high school years, I feel like I missed out on a lot. I wish I had kept in touch, I wish I chilled with them, I wish I was a part of their crew. But after yesterday, I realized that they hadn't forgotten and that I was still a part of them. So I look forward to our future together -- hoping to stay in touch with as many of them as possible.
Before leaving that night, we all talked about meeting up again next year. But next time, changing it by meeting up at a restaurant first, instead of coming over to my house and preparing the food. I've gotta admit that cooking for them was a nightmare... The cleaning took forever! But somehow we managed to feed so many of em' with TONS of food remaining. Props goes out to Kamla for organizing the food menu, contacting most of them and making last night such a special occasion..
A small bunch of us at the table
There were quite a few people who said they were going to come but still weren't able to make it. GRRRR... =P So hopefully next year they'll be able to attend the gathering: Arvin, Eric N (still can't believe he's married now!), Heather, Janine, Michelle A, Greg M, Dave M, Dave I, Sara V, Liz Weigand, James A, James M, Ali E, Jason Chopra, Karim Elkaradly, Drew (?), Kev (?), RYAN (?) <-- Michelle, this one's for you. Future babies eh? =P
Back: Bradley, Me, Ivy, Colleen, Janet, Matt, Anastasia
Front: Chris, Kamla, Jen's BF, Jen
Back: Janet, Ivy, Anastasia, Matt, Kamla, Me
Front: Johan, Michelle, Brad, Val, Chris
Grade 6 picture of our class - I'm fourth from the left on the second row
Last night, I invited a bunch of friends who I hadn't seen since I left the French Immersion Program in grade 8. Having spent most of my childhood playing and learning with them, I remember how it felt like we belonged to a big family. I'd used to label myself as one of the "french immersion kids".
But after leaving the Ghetto's in grade 8 to go to the Arts Program at Earl Haig S.S., I lost touch with all of them for over 9 years. Seeing these people for the first time since then was crazy. At first I was afraid that they wouldn't recognize me or include me as one of them (seeing how the rest of them ended up in the same high school together), but bringing back old stories and old games that we used to play together brought us that much closer. I realized that things like "jail break" (later changed to "cops and robbers" to escape Mr Vanderyacht's wrath), playing red A, sliding down the hill, being Umpire for baseball, Mr Charbonneau's grade 4 dance, Fun Fair, DDT & Pickles, Max, Foothockey, "C'est la roque des dinosaur", Quebec trip are among some of the things that only we French Immersion kids from North A cherished. These people were the ones in my childhood who made me who I am today.
We ended up being in the same class since Senior Kindergarden all the way up to grade 8 -- and OAC for some of them (with a little over 30 of us). Seeing them again brought back memories that I had completely forgotten.
I'm proud to say that we all turned out pretty good -- no one became a drug dealer, no one became a pimp, no one was murdered =P. The people who I remembered from the past stayed the same. From yesterday, I could see that the bubbly, funny and sweet Michelle who I used to play the fast slapping hand game with was still the same sweet Michelle, the soft-spoken Bradley who used to make people laugh was still the same "undercover brat", the pro-athlete Matt ended up studying at Penn State U on full scholarship for cross country - training everyday and running at least 55 miles a week, Jay is studying culinary school and working all over the world, Kamla / Nafisa (and Michelle) are studying Psychology and science related stuff like me, Eric is Happily MARRIED, and so might Sara V. All my friends hadn't changed at all. They were simply bigger versions of themselves, transposed into bodies that were more matured, more confident and more intelligent.
Kristen Peach and Lisa Ranken - I was so intimidated by these two when I was little
We talked for hours, reminescing old stories of horrible teachers, gross accidents, embarassing moments... teachers who we all made fun of, teachers who we made them cry, teachers who used to yell at us... It was through these conversations that I really realized what a brat I was. I was one mean bully who didn't look like one at all.
Val Tan, Janet, Michelle, Anastasia, Ivy and me
Looking back at my high school years, I feel like I missed out on a lot. I wish I had kept in touch, I wish I chilled with them, I wish I was a part of their crew. But after yesterday, I realized that they hadn't forgotten and that I was still a part of them. So I look forward to our future together -- hoping to stay in touch with as many of them as possible.
Before leaving that night, we all talked about meeting up again next year. But next time, changing it by meeting up at a restaurant first, instead of coming over to my house and preparing the food. I've gotta admit that cooking for them was a nightmare... The cleaning took forever! But somehow we managed to feed so many of em' with TONS of food remaining. Props goes out to Kamla for organizing the food menu, contacting most of them and making last night such a special occasion..
A small bunch of us at the table
There were quite a few people who said they were going to come but still weren't able to make it. GRRRR... =P So hopefully next year they'll be able to attend the gathering: Arvin, Eric N (still can't believe he's married now!), Heather, Janine, Michelle A, Greg M, Dave M, Dave I, Sara V, Liz Weigand, James A, James M, Ali E, Jason Chopra, Karim Elkaradly, Drew (?), Kev (?), RYAN (?) <-- Michelle, this one's for you. Future babies eh? =P
Back: Bradley, Me, Ivy, Colleen, Janet, Matt, Anastasia
Front: Chris, Kamla, Jen's BF, Jen
Back: Janet, Ivy, Anastasia, Matt, Kamla, Me
Front: Johan, Michelle, Brad, Val, Chris
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Don't know what's going on with me...
Just to warn all of you'z, this post will be a weird one. So if you're not up to some weird babbling, I don't suggest you continue reading this post
I've been craving for some apple pie. Maybe it's the taste of cinnamon and the sweetness that I want, but it's just strange. I vowed not to eat it again after eating a ton of it and I had enough of it. But the craving has returned. For example, on the way home from Kingston, Mike and I dropped by the Big Apple to get some. They've got the best apple pie there... Mmmmmm... Hot honey apple pie and vanilla ice cream. Mike, Victor, Dez and Tin should know how crazy I am about it... But recently my brains been playing games with me. It'd be too hard and too far to get some apple pie now, but I just wonder what on earth would ever happen if I were to have apple pie for the rest of my life... Would I be a jolly fat pig? Hahahha, that'd be a funny notion. But you never know until you try.
There have been so many other types of food that I've been eating over the Christmas break, so many other foods that I've tried. I just wonder sometimes whether it's just me. Why do I fall so easily? Why do I feel so weak whenever it comes to liking food? I've liked different types of food, like chicken noodle soup, kiwi, sushi, Saskachewan kimchi and lemon, but these dishes have all lost their taste. Why is it apple pie that keeps me craving for it? A part of me says "Move onto the next food group... There's so much food to try." But then another voice keeps saying "Give apple pie a chance." The funny thing is that I don't even eat apple pie that often.
I guess I just need to starve myself for a while longer. My brain is too confused with the food over the holiday. =P All the food I can eat, but I don't appreciate them enough. Maybe if I try eating chicken noodle soup a little longer, I'll start liking it a little more. Chicken has more nutrients and noodles to chew on. Maybe try adding some pepper, some salt, some of my own vegetables into Campbells or Lipton's Chicken noodle soup.
Or maybe try cooking something unique. A bunch of elementary school friends are coming over to cook and chill at my place. Can't wait... I've been anticipating this day for a while now. Some of these people I haven't seen since grade 4. It'll be strange but also interesting. Stay tuned for my next post. I'll hopefully get some pictures from my reunion and my Christmas pictures up.
Just to warn all of you'z, this post will be a weird one. So if you're not up to some weird babbling, I don't suggest you continue reading this post
I've been craving for some apple pie. Maybe it's the taste of cinnamon and the sweetness that I want, but it's just strange. I vowed not to eat it again after eating a ton of it and I had enough of it. But the craving has returned. For example, on the way home from Kingston, Mike and I dropped by the Big Apple to get some. They've got the best apple pie there... Mmmmmm... Hot honey apple pie and vanilla ice cream. Mike, Victor, Dez and Tin should know how crazy I am about it... But recently my brains been playing games with me. It'd be too hard and too far to get some apple pie now, but I just wonder what on earth would ever happen if I were to have apple pie for the rest of my life... Would I be a jolly fat pig? Hahahha, that'd be a funny notion. But you never know until you try.
There have been so many other types of food that I've been eating over the Christmas break, so many other foods that I've tried. I just wonder sometimes whether it's just me. Why do I fall so easily? Why do I feel so weak whenever it comes to liking food? I've liked different types of food, like chicken noodle soup, kiwi, sushi, Saskachewan kimchi and lemon, but these dishes have all lost their taste. Why is it apple pie that keeps me craving for it? A part of me says "Move onto the next food group... There's so much food to try." But then another voice keeps saying "Give apple pie a chance." The funny thing is that I don't even eat apple pie that often.
I guess I just need to starve myself for a while longer. My brain is too confused with the food over the holiday. =P All the food I can eat, but I don't appreciate them enough. Maybe if I try eating chicken noodle soup a little longer, I'll start liking it a little more. Chicken has more nutrients and noodles to chew on. Maybe try adding some pepper, some salt, some of my own vegetables into Campbells or Lipton's Chicken noodle soup.
Or maybe try cooking something unique. A bunch of elementary school friends are coming over to cook and chill at my place. Can't wait... I've been anticipating this day for a while now. Some of these people I haven't seen since grade 4. It'll be strange but also interesting. Stay tuned for my next post. I'll hopefully get some pictures from my reunion and my Christmas pictures up.
Monday, December 27, 2004
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Snowed in
Today, I finally finished my essay. But, with the help of some wonderful friends. Thanks goes out to Viv the cookmeista for the grammar tips, my brother for giving some useful comments about the content in my essay, and Andrea who laboured like heck to get the edits to me (even with the computer crashing on her 6 times!). Thanks guys, I couldn't have done it without you. So, I emailed it back to my prof, and now my real holiday begins! I started decorating the house with my sister, and boy! We have so much to do. I'll hopefully post up a picture of our house once everything's done.
My sis and I wanted to head over to this Christmas store to check out for some more christmas decorations and to Dominions to grab some ingredients so we can start baking ginger bread men and make other stuff. But unfortunately due to the FREEZING RAIN, our car that was parked outside got iced all over. There was about 15 centimeters of ice/snow over our car. Using a shovel, I was hoping to clear it all off. Too bad a thin layer of ice still glazed over the windows which couldn't get scraped off... Could have drove the car back and try driving with the other car in the garage, but it'd be too much work. So poo that. No special ingredients for cookies and no trip to get more christmas decorations... We'll try tomorrow.
I still need to buy presents for people. I'm gonna start panicking tomorrow. Gotta mail stuff, gotta drive over to people's house, gotta plan for the party on Sat, Sun, Tues and Wednesday. Oh crap. Keith is in doo-doo again.
Today, I finally finished my essay. But, with the help of some wonderful friends. Thanks goes out to Viv the cookmeista for the grammar tips, my brother for giving some useful comments about the content in my essay, and Andrea who laboured like heck to get the edits to me (even with the computer crashing on her 6 times!). Thanks guys, I couldn't have done it without you. So, I emailed it back to my prof, and now my real holiday begins! I started decorating the house with my sister, and boy! We have so much to do. I'll hopefully post up a picture of our house once everything's done.
My sis and I wanted to head over to this Christmas store to check out for some more christmas decorations and to Dominions to grab some ingredients so we can start baking ginger bread men and make other stuff. But unfortunately due to the FREEZING RAIN, our car that was parked outside got iced all over. There was about 15 centimeters of ice/snow over our car. Using a shovel, I was hoping to clear it all off. Too bad a thin layer of ice still glazed over the windows which couldn't get scraped off... Could have drove the car back and try driving with the other car in the garage, but it'd be too much work. So poo that. No special ingredients for cookies and no trip to get more christmas decorations... We'll try tomorrow.
I still need to buy presents for people. I'm gonna start panicking tomorrow. Gotta mail stuff, gotta drive over to people's house, gotta plan for the party on Sat, Sun, Tues and Wednesday. Oh crap. Keith is in doo-doo again.
I'm grumpy, but not the dwarf from Snow White.
I started looking at my philosophy paper again, but this time with the help of my brother. It was so frustrating... Just to vent it out, here you go: Christmas Carol from the "dark side" =P
Jingle bells, Philosophy smell,
Essays are from hell.
Why oh why, am I so dumb,
it seems like I'm a bum, HEY!
Jingle bells, Philosophy's gay
Can't ever find what to say.
The stuff's all BS, this I confess,
Homework: give me less!
=P Whew.. Hope I get this paper done. It's killing me...
I started looking at my philosophy paper again, but this time with the help of my brother. It was so frustrating... Just to vent it out, here you go: Christmas Carol from the "dark side" =P
Jingle bells, Philosophy smell,
Essays are from hell.
Why oh why, am I so dumb,
it seems like I'm a bum, HEY!
Jingle bells, Philosophy's gay
Can't ever find what to say.
The stuff's all BS, this I confess,
Homework: give me less!
=P Whew.. Hope I get this paper done. It's killing me...
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
I'm finally back in Toronto
I love my room. I love my house. I love my family. I missed everything sooooo much! Muah muah muah muah... Yesterday, I was suppose to head back to TO, but my trek got delayed because of the cold weather. My friend couldn't get their car started so we were stranded in K-town for another day. Other people including my prof couldn't get their cars starting either. It was minus 36 degrees in Kingston!!! How Sick is that??
Cause' "Cold + Keith" don't mix well together, I basically stayed in for the most part of the day. I only walked across the street twice -- the first time to eat lunch, and the second, to eat dinner. I finally finished my essay and I've sent it to some friends to edit. Having completed the 9 page paper that night, I seriously couldn't sleep cause' I was so happy I was done. I was twisting and turning so often that all my bedsheets came undone. It was so frustrating trying to fall asleep... All in all, I think I finally managed to fall asleep at 5 am...
*** Do you ever wonder whether there is any precise point a person actually falls asleep? I said I fell asleep at 5, but how much longer did it take to fall asleep? I remember the instant when I was really really tired and I looked at the clock, but nothing much afterwards. Did I really fall asleep at say around 5:01 am or was I still awake until 5:30? I checked the clock then, and I remember closing my eyes a few seconds after that, but nothing else... I didn't take psyc, so I dunno. How does Sleep work?
Anyhew... Enough of brainfart about that. Back to my ramble about the day. I came home after wasting the main portion of my morning, took a shower, stared at the wall, walked around, stared at the wall again... Then by 1:00pm, I finally got the phone call from my old housemate Mike. His car finally worked. Mike came to pick up my stuff and we started our way home.
The first thing I did in toronto was getting a haircut. I needed one sooooo badly. Just for keepsake, I was silly to take a picture before and after my haircut. I don't know whether you can see the difference in these pictures at all (and yes, I was lame enought to change into the same hoodie after my haircut just to make the pictures look the same). I'm a geek.
BIG AFRO
|
|
V
Trimmed "AFRO" =P
C'mon, the trim makes a HUGE difference for guys. Girls would probably say "Bleh", that's nothing. I cut 15 centimeters... One centimeter of hair for guys translates into a mile...
I love my room. I love my house. I love my family. I missed everything sooooo much! Muah muah muah muah... Yesterday, I was suppose to head back to TO, but my trek got delayed because of the cold weather. My friend couldn't get their car started so we were stranded in K-town for another day. Other people including my prof couldn't get their cars starting either. It was minus 36 degrees in Kingston!!! How Sick is that??
Cause' "Cold + Keith" don't mix well together, I basically stayed in for the most part of the day. I only walked across the street twice -- the first time to eat lunch, and the second, to eat dinner. I finally finished my essay and I've sent it to some friends to edit. Having completed the 9 page paper that night, I seriously couldn't sleep cause' I was so happy I was done. I was twisting and turning so often that all my bedsheets came undone. It was so frustrating trying to fall asleep... All in all, I think I finally managed to fall asleep at 5 am...
*** Do you ever wonder whether there is any precise point a person actually falls asleep? I said I fell asleep at 5, but how much longer did it take to fall asleep? I remember the instant when I was really really tired and I looked at the clock, but nothing much afterwards. Did I really fall asleep at say around 5:01 am or was I still awake until 5:30? I checked the clock then, and I remember closing my eyes a few seconds after that, but nothing else... I didn't take psyc, so I dunno. How does Sleep work?
Anyhew... Enough of brainfart about that. Back to my ramble about the day. I came home after wasting the main portion of my morning, took a shower, stared at the wall, walked around, stared at the wall again... Then by 1:00pm, I finally got the phone call from my old housemate Mike. His car finally worked. Mike came to pick up my stuff and we started our way home.
The first thing I did in toronto was getting a haircut. I needed one sooooo badly. Just for keepsake, I was silly to take a picture before and after my haircut. I don't know whether you can see the difference in these pictures at all (and yes, I was lame enought to change into the same hoodie after my haircut just to make the pictures look the same). I'm a geek.
BIG AFRO
|
|
V
Trimmed "AFRO" =P
C'mon, the trim makes a HUGE difference for guys. Girls would probably say "Bleh", that's nothing. I cut 15 centimeters... One centimeter of hair for guys translates into a mile...
Monday, December 20, 2004
Almost done
I've got 1.5 pages left to type. Things are going extra slowly today, and I don't know why it's taking me so long to finish this essay up. Perhaps it's because I know I'm almost done. It's so hard to concentrate... Thinking about the North A reunion and Christmas just makes me all so happy. I can't wait to come home and eat some real Chinese food.
People have cleared up in Rez pretty cleanly. I'm one of the few people left hanging around. I really feel sorry for those who have to stay here over the winter break though. That must really suck... That's what my neighbour's doing. Coming from India, it must be pretty expensive to go back home just for two-three weeks. I really admire these international students for their courage of coming off to university alone like this. Going to UofT is somewhat different because there are lots of things to do... But staying in Kingston? That's heck of a difference. The city is small, shops are very far away -- some even inaccessible by bus or walking. I gotta give it up to these international students.
And btw, what do you think about this William Hung soundtrack? I really like the song and all, but I start to scratch my head why Will is still making music soundtracks. I don't want to sound mean, but I feel as though his stronger talents might lie elsewhere. I give him props for being so brave and sticking with his dream of being a singer, but how far is he going to go? After five-ten years, will he still be remembered? Or is this simply the music record's malicious attempt to capitalize on people's empathy (I don't want to say "sympathy") for his dreams? He literally screeches at one part of the song, and he's sooo flat...
I've got 1.5 pages left to type. Things are going extra slowly today, and I don't know why it's taking me so long to finish this essay up. Perhaps it's because I know I'm almost done. It's so hard to concentrate... Thinking about the North A reunion and Christmas just makes me all so happy. I can't wait to come home and eat some real Chinese food.
People have cleared up in Rez pretty cleanly. I'm one of the few people left hanging around. I really feel sorry for those who have to stay here over the winter break though. That must really suck... That's what my neighbour's doing. Coming from India, it must be pretty expensive to go back home just for two-three weeks. I really admire these international students for their courage of coming off to university alone like this. Going to UofT is somewhat different because there are lots of things to do... But staying in Kingston? That's heck of a difference. The city is small, shops are very far away -- some even inaccessible by bus or walking. I gotta give it up to these international students.
And btw, what do you think about this William Hung soundtrack? I really like the song and all, but I start to scratch my head why Will is still making music soundtracks. I don't want to sound mean, but I feel as though his stronger talents might lie elsewhere. I give him props for being so brave and sticking with his dream of being a singer, but how far is he going to go? After five-ten years, will he still be remembered? Or is this simply the music record's malicious attempt to capitalize on people's empathy (I don't want to say "sympathy") for his dreams? He literally screeches at one part of the song, and he's sooo flat...
Oh when will it stop?
I'm not referring to the work I have to do this time (even though I still have my big paper to finish up). I'm talking about the droning sound of a residence fire alarm near by. It's giving off the sound of an electric razor going on and off, on and off... Beep beep beep... [pause] Beep beep beep... [pause] Beep beep beep... I'm lacking in sleep already, but this droning of electric nasal irritating sound has been going off since 2 in the morning. Why haven't the fire department come to turn the darn thing off I ask myself. Maybe cause' it's too frickin' cold outside. (sorry, I shouldn't be using the word "frickin'" -- that's pretty bad).
Well I go home tomorrow. Can't wait. My old housemate Ah-Bout will be giving me the ride home. I haven't seen the guy for the longest time, so I'm looking forward to catching up on old times on the way back. Then in TO, Wicta (the poor poor whipped boy) will HAVE to come out to chill with us no matter what. Tin must be there too. I'm tired now, and totally rambling about nonsense.
Eating applesauce and finding it too sweet. don't know what's going on with me. Back then, I could eat an entire cone of cotton candy. But now, eating something as tame as applesauce is becoming hard. Maybe it's a sign... sign that I should prevent myself from getting Type II diabetes... Oooo. Insulin resistence. With all that rice and sugar, I really wouldn't be surprised if I really got it in the future [knock on wood of course]
K, gotta write up my essay. 1.5 pages done. 3 more to go! Why does philosophy have to be so hard. Who really gives a care what dignity's role has in the discussion of assisted suicide. I just want this over with..
I'm not referring to the work I have to do this time (even though I still have my big paper to finish up). I'm talking about the droning sound of a residence fire alarm near by. It's giving off the sound of an electric razor going on and off, on and off... Beep beep beep... [pause] Beep beep beep... [pause] Beep beep beep... I'm lacking in sleep already, but this droning of electric nasal irritating sound has been going off since 2 in the morning. Why haven't the fire department come to turn the darn thing off I ask myself. Maybe cause' it's too frickin' cold outside. (sorry, I shouldn't be using the word "frickin'" -- that's pretty bad).
Well I go home tomorrow. Can't wait. My old housemate Ah-Bout will be giving me the ride home. I haven't seen the guy for the longest time, so I'm looking forward to catching up on old times on the way back. Then in TO, Wicta (the poor poor whipped boy) will HAVE to come out to chill with us no matter what. Tin must be there too. I'm tired now, and totally rambling about nonsense.
Eating applesauce and finding it too sweet. don't know what's going on with me. Back then, I could eat an entire cone of cotton candy. But now, eating something as tame as applesauce is becoming hard. Maybe it's a sign... sign that I should prevent myself from getting Type II diabetes... Oooo. Insulin resistence. With all that rice and sugar, I really wouldn't be surprised if I really got it in the future [knock on wood of course]
K, gotta write up my essay. 1.5 pages done. 3 more to go! Why does philosophy have to be so hard. Who really gives a care what dignity's role has in the discussion of assisted suicide. I just want this over with..
Sunday, December 19, 2004
HELP! I'm Stuck!
I'm still in Kingston and I still have an essay due. I'm having problems starting my essay. It may be writer's block or just pure incompetance. I sat down in front of the TV and watched the entire broadcast of "Remember the Titans" (including all the commercials). So that took up about 3 hours of precious writing time. And now I'm wasting time typing this blog entry. Classic...
I'm still in Kingston and I still have an essay due. I'm having problems starting my essay. It may be writer's block or just pure incompetance. I sat down in front of the TV and watched the entire broadcast of "Remember the Titans" (including all the commercials). So that took up about 3 hours of precious writing time. And now I'm wasting time typing this blog entry. Classic...
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Eenie Meeny Miney Moe
Michelle raised a good question: If I were to choose between being a Monkey or a Hamster, what would I choose?
So here's the answer... I'd choose:
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Hamster
You see, monkeys are smart and all. But they're big, hairy, knit-eating, butt-picking... erm... Big creatures. They're nothing like the cute furry little things that scurry around and eat nuts. I'm not saying that I want to look cute and all -- cause' that would be weird for a guy to be saying stuff like that -- but I'd much rather be living the simple life of a hamster. Hamsters seem like they have nothing to worry about. They just sleep, eat, maybe drink some water and run around in the hamster wheel. Of course I'm not talking about hamsters who scurry around out in the wild, cause' that would be a TOTALLY different story. The life of a hamster seems to fit the criterias of an ideal lifestyle. Hamsters = Lazy animals. Monkeys on the other hand have to climb trees (work? Me? Hahahaha... Those who really know me, know that I am lazy inside); they have to sit and live on top of high branches (Height & Me don't go very well together); they have HUGE ears (I don't wanna have huge ears... I don't know), and they're very close to being human. I already know what it's like to be human, so why not try something different? =P
Well enough rambling for one sitting. I could go on about the hamsters I had growing up as a kid and the fate of my other unfortunate pets, but... I'll save that for another time.
Michelle raised a good question: If I were to choose between being a Monkey or a Hamster, what would I choose?
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Hamster
You see, monkeys are smart and all. But they're big, hairy, knit-eating, butt-picking... erm... Big creatures. They're nothing like the cute furry little things that scurry around and eat nuts. I'm not saying that I want to look cute and all -- cause' that would be weird for a guy to be saying stuff like that -- but I'd much rather be living the simple life of a hamster. Hamsters seem like they have nothing to worry about. They just sleep, eat, maybe drink some water and run around in the hamster wheel. Of course I'm not talking about hamsters who scurry around out in the wild, cause' that would be a TOTALLY different story. The life of a hamster seems to fit the criterias of an ideal lifestyle. Hamsters = Lazy animals. Monkeys on the other hand have to climb trees (work? Me? Hahahaha... Those who really know me, know that I am lazy inside); they have to sit and live on top of high branches (Height & Me don't go very well together); they have HUGE ears (I don't wanna have huge ears... I don't know), and they're very close to being human. I already know what it's like to be human, so why not try something different? =P
Well enough rambling for one sitting. I could go on about the hamsters I had growing up as a kid and the fate of my other unfortunate pets, but... I'll save that for another time.
Monday, December 13, 2004
If I was a Hamster...
This would be me:
at the beginning of the year...
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after the Midterm exams...
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during Finals...
This would be me:
at the beginning of the year...
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after the Midterm exams...
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during Finals...
Why?!?!
I've got a sudden urge to eat a boloh-bao (pineapple bun) with the yellow custard filling. I don't know what studying does to me, it makes me hungry for Chinese food. Boloh-bao, Niy-wong-bao, Shanghai chow-mein, Gnow-yolk-hoh, Woh-teep, Wonton-mein, Pay-dan-saw-yolk-jok... My stomach yearns for all the unhealthy greasy food at the Food Court.
I've got a sudden urge to eat a boloh-bao (pineapple bun) with the yellow custard filling. I don't know what studying does to me, it makes me hungry for Chinese food. Boloh-bao, Niy-wong-bao, Shanghai chow-mein, Gnow-yolk-hoh, Woh-teep, Wonton-mein, Pay-dan-saw-yolk-jok... My stomach yearns for all the unhealthy greasy food at the Food Court.
Saturday, December 11, 2004
Keith is SCREWED again
Man, I've got so much work. It ain't funny. Then why am I typing this you might ask. it's cause' I'm procrastinating and waiting to die soon. Yay. Keith won't get sleep again. Yes!
Man, I've got so much work. It ain't funny. Then why am I typing this you might ask. it's cause' I'm procrastinating and waiting to die soon. Yay. Keith won't get sleep again. Yes!
Thursday, December 09, 2004
Lazy Shmazy
So, I went to watch National Treasures yesterday. I thought the movie wasn't too bad. It had very good reviews and all, but I thought they jumped into the movie WAY too quickly. Some parts were definitely Hollywood Corny and some of the lines like "Enjoy your spoils..." were classically GAY. I felt the screenplay could have been a lot better. They made Nicholas Cage sound like a Nerd... In some books, the dialogue would have been perfect. But in a movie?!?!? NAh...
Today, I didn't get much work done. I woke up at 2. (PM) hahahaha! Then I went over to study, but also couldn't get much done. I'll have to step it up a notch, cause' I don't wanna be screwed for my other exams. Why is it that people procrastinate? Is it because we're inherently lazy? or is it just how the universe works? =P Entropy at it's best. As humans, we've evolved into a species that has learned how to maximize our efficiency: play play play play play play play WORK! play play play play play play play WORK!
Aight. I had a very unproductive day. Now I'm sleeping. At least THAT'S productive. =)
So, I went to watch National Treasures yesterday. I thought the movie wasn't too bad. It had very good reviews and all, but I thought they jumped into the movie WAY too quickly. Some parts were definitely Hollywood Corny and some of the lines like "Enjoy your spoils..." were classically GAY. I felt the screenplay could have been a lot better. They made Nicholas Cage sound like a Nerd... In some books, the dialogue would have been perfect. But in a movie?!?!? NAh...
Today, I didn't get much work done. I woke up at 2. (PM) hahahaha! Then I went over to study, but also couldn't get much done. I'll have to step it up a notch, cause' I don't wanna be screwed for my other exams. Why is it that people procrastinate? Is it because we're inherently lazy? or is it just how the universe works? =P Entropy at it's best. As humans, we've evolved into a species that has learned how to maximize our efficiency: play play play play play play play WORK! play play play play play play play WORK!
Aight. I had a very unproductive day. Now I'm sleeping. At least THAT'S productive. =)
OMGoodness.
http://www.cbc.ca/MRL/clips/rm-lo/bjarnason_hungry041208.rm
From CBC:
Agency still hopes to halve world hunger by 2015
Last Updated Wed, 08 Dec 2004 21:44:45 EST
ROME - There are more than 800 million malnourished people in the developing world where one child dies every five seconds, according to a United Nations report released Wednesday.
The report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization says the two countries that saw a dramatic increase in poverty levels are China and India.
Hartwig De Haen, assistant director general of the agency's economic and social department, said India had 18 million more hungry people in the second half of the 1990s. He blames the increase on rapid population growth.
Latin America was the only developing region to see a modest reduction in hunger in the second half of the 1990s, according to the report, while hunger was on the rise in Asia, Africa and the Near East.
"Between five and six million children die every year. If you do the math, that comes down to one child dying every five seconds," says Andrew Marx, the report's editor.
Marx also connects hunger to war, saying that while a portion of the food crisis is caused by natural disasters, violence and warfare are significant contributors to world hunger.
Rita Karakas, CEO of Save the Children Canada, agrees that political stability is crucial to addressing stark poverty in all parts of the world, regardless of who holds political power.
Despite Wednesday's negative numbers De Haen believes that halving the number of the world's hungry by 2015 is feasible, albeit ambitious.
Rita Karakas
It starts and ends with money. The report maintains that every dollar invested against hunger provides five to 20 times as much in return.
"It is possible that the international community has not fully grasped the economic bounce that would be possible from investments in hunger reduction," De Haen told a news conference.
To reach the 2015 target, funding needs to be increased by $24 billion annually, says the agency.
The report also outlines that hunger and malnutrition cost around $30 billion in direct medical expenses each year
Written by CBC News Online staff
http://www.cbc.ca/MRL/clips/rm-lo/bjarnason_hungry041208.rm
From CBC:
Agency still hopes to halve world hunger by 2015
Last Updated Wed, 08 Dec 2004 21:44:45 EST
ROME - There are more than 800 million malnourished people in the developing world where one child dies every five seconds, according to a United Nations report released Wednesday.
The report by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization says the two countries that saw a dramatic increase in poverty levels are China and India.
Hartwig De Haen, assistant director general of the agency's economic and social department, said India had 18 million more hungry people in the second half of the 1990s. He blames the increase on rapid population growth.
Latin America was the only developing region to see a modest reduction in hunger in the second half of the 1990s, according to the report, while hunger was on the rise in Asia, Africa and the Near East.
"Between five and six million children die every year. If you do the math, that comes down to one child dying every five seconds," says Andrew Marx, the report's editor.
Marx also connects hunger to war, saying that while a portion of the food crisis is caused by natural disasters, violence and warfare are significant contributors to world hunger.
Rita Karakas, CEO of Save the Children Canada, agrees that political stability is crucial to addressing stark poverty in all parts of the world, regardless of who holds political power.
Despite Wednesday's negative numbers De Haen believes that halving the number of the world's hungry by 2015 is feasible, albeit ambitious.
Rita Karakas
It starts and ends with money. The report maintains that every dollar invested against hunger provides five to 20 times as much in return.
"It is possible that the international community has not fully grasped the economic bounce that would be possible from investments in hunger reduction," De Haen told a news conference.
To reach the 2015 target, funding needs to be increased by $24 billion annually, says the agency.
The report also outlines that hunger and malnutrition cost around $30 billion in direct medical expenses each year
Written by CBC News Online staff
Tuesday, December 07, 2004
The eye of the storm has finally passed
I can finally get some sleep... Never have I ever pushed myself so hard before. Since the time I woke up on Saturday morning, I've only had 5 hours of sleep... That translates into 48 hours of awake time in 53 hours.
Right now, my brain feels like mush, but I still can't sleep yet cause' of S - L.B.H. I get so angry when I think about it. Another 2-3 more hours, then I get to sleep... SLEEP.
Hopefully the nasty food I ate at the caf will help out a bit. I've never eaten anything as horrible tasting as the vegetables today. It was a mix of mushy peppers, soaked up in some sort of vinegar. I can't imagine anyone in their willful mind would want to eat such a nasty thing. The description of "Gastric reflux, Refluxed several times and passed through the other side" wouldn't be too far off from what it tasted like. It was so sour that the acidity almost peeled the linings of my stomach away. What were those Sodexho people thinking? Maybe the chef fell asleep, or maybe I'm just tired and cranky.
I can finally get some sleep... Never have I ever pushed myself so hard before. Since the time I woke up on Saturday morning, I've only had 5 hours of sleep... That translates into 48 hours of awake time in 53 hours.
Right now, my brain feels like mush, but I still can't sleep yet cause' of S - L.B.H. I get so angry when I think about it. Another 2-3 more hours, then I get to sleep... SLEEP.
Hopefully the nasty food I ate at the caf will help out a bit. I've never eaten anything as horrible tasting as the vegetables today. It was a mix of mushy peppers, soaked up in some sort of vinegar. I can't imagine anyone in their willful mind would want to eat such a nasty thing. The description of "Gastric reflux, Refluxed several times and passed through the other side" wouldn't be too far off from what it tasted like. It was so sour that the acidity almost peeled the linings of my stomach away. What were those Sodexho people thinking? Maybe the chef fell asleep, or maybe I'm just tired and cranky.
I've got a sick feeling in my stomach
This is gross. It's 7:35 am in the morning now and I'm typing away my blog from Goodes building. How sad is that? I've pulled two all nighters within three nights. "Why" I ask myself.. WHY? DEEM-GUY am I so stupid to take so Freakin' long to type this up. Retardo... The stupid thing is: I'M STILL NOT DONE! Stupid Pathology 499. Why do you make me write up a 17 page introduction?!?!?!? ARGHHHHHHH... To top this off, I won't be able to sleep afterwards cause' I've promised to help a friend work on their online exam because they're crammed with work. Even worse, is that the exam isn't even his! It's his girlfriend's! In terms of work, she has jack squat compared to us two. Yet my friend chooses to be whipped by this girl. I don't understand his mentality, nor do I understand why she needs to do that. Hopefully when she finds out that it me I was did the exam for her, she'll feel sorry and learn her lesson not to rely on others to this extent. Oy, the things going on in my life. A life of melodramas unfolding themselves each day... What's sad is that I really dislike working so much.
[sigh] Even sadder yet is how I know I will be looking back at these moments in the future, wishing I could go back.
This is gross. It's 7:35 am in the morning now and I'm typing away my blog from Goodes building. How sad is that? I've pulled two all nighters within three nights. "Why" I ask myself.. WHY? DEEM-GUY am I so stupid to take so Freakin' long to type this up. Retardo... The stupid thing is: I'M STILL NOT DONE! Stupid Pathology 499. Why do you make me write up a 17 page introduction?!?!?!? ARGHHHHHHH... To top this off, I won't be able to sleep afterwards cause' I've promised to help a friend work on their online exam because they're crammed with work. Even worse, is that the exam isn't even his! It's his girlfriend's! In terms of work, she has jack squat compared to us two. Yet my friend chooses to be whipped by this girl. I don't understand his mentality, nor do I understand why she needs to do that. Hopefully when she finds out that it me I was did the exam for her, she'll feel sorry and learn her lesson not to rely on others to this extent. Oy, the things going on in my life. A life of melodramas unfolding themselves each day... What's sad is that I really dislike working so much.
[sigh] Even sadder yet is how I know I will be looking back at these moments in the future, wishing I could go back.
Sunday, December 05, 2004
I am Humbled...
Someone shared their testimony in today's sacrament meeting (at church), and I was moved by the things they said. It made me realize how often I focus too much on myself; how little I have experienced; how much I have to give but don't... One of the speaker who was sharing with us today was recently given the opportunity to work at a juvenile penitentiary. She described some of the things these kids had gone through - the oldest of them, being only 13 year of age had endured multiple lifetime's worth of hardship and experiences.
Looking at the trials that I have, they now only seem like little petty things. I have nothing to complain about. I have a wonderful family, great supportive friends, an education, a knowledge of truth, clothes on my back, the necessities to live without fear, the freedom to choose what I want to do... It's just sad that I didn't take time to count my blessings, having treated so much for granted.
During this time of the season - Christmas - when we tend to be more aligned with the things that God would have us do, I pray that we do not take any of our blessings for granted; that we give something back to others. Whether it be in the form of gifts, service, financial support, a bit of your time, a bit of your effort, a small gesture, a smile. Remembering what relationship we have with one another - brothers and sisters of this world, brothers and sisters in Christ. Many people out there are struggling to put their lives together. We need to share our message with these people and let them know what peace they can find in Christ and His teachings...
[ayah, this is starting to sound like another ramble... I'll stop now.]
http://www.savethechildren.org/
http://www.iyfnet.org/
https://secure.csfm.com/redcross/
http://www.unicef.org/
http://www.unitedway.ca/english/
http://www.unfoundation.org/
http://www.rotary.org/
http://www.rotarytoronto.com/rotary/rotary.nsf/pages/home.htm
http://www.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/niw_splash/0%2C%2C3172%2C00.html
http://www.ccff.ca/
http://www.salvationarmy.ca/home/default.asp
(Please note: My small list of links is by no means comprehensive of what's out there!)
Someone shared their testimony in today's sacrament meeting (at church), and I was moved by the things they said. It made me realize how often I focus too much on myself; how little I have experienced; how much I have to give but don't... One of the speaker who was sharing with us today was recently given the opportunity to work at a juvenile penitentiary. She described some of the things these kids had gone through - the oldest of them, being only 13 year of age had endured multiple lifetime's worth of hardship and experiences.
Looking at the trials that I have, they now only seem like little petty things. I have nothing to complain about. I have a wonderful family, great supportive friends, an education, a knowledge of truth, clothes on my back, the necessities to live without fear, the freedom to choose what I want to do... It's just sad that I didn't take time to count my blessings, having treated so much for granted.
During this time of the season - Christmas - when we tend to be more aligned with the things that God would have us do, I pray that we do not take any of our blessings for granted; that we give something back to others. Whether it be in the form of gifts, service, financial support, a bit of your time, a bit of your effort, a small gesture, a smile. Remembering what relationship we have with one another - brothers and sisters of this world, brothers and sisters in Christ. Many people out there are struggling to put their lives together. We need to share our message with these people and let them know what peace they can find in Christ and His teachings...
[ayah, this is starting to sound like another ramble... I'll stop now.]
http://www.savethechildren.org/
http://www.iyfnet.org/
https://secure.csfm.com/redcross/
http://www.unicef.org/
http://www.unitedway.ca/english/
http://www.unfoundation.org/
http://www.rotary.org/
http://www.rotarytoronto.com/rotary/rotary.nsf/pages/home.htm
http://www.cancer.ca/ccs/internet/niw_splash/0%2C%2C3172%2C00.html
http://www.ccff.ca/
http://www.salvationarmy.ca/home/default.asp
(Please note: My small list of links is by no means comprehensive of what's out there!)
Friday, December 03, 2004
Since it was snowing today...
I decided to be Santa.
It feels like Christmas already. I LOVE this time of the year, not just because of the presents (but of course, these are ALWAYS good), but also because people act differently - the way it should be all the time: people are friendlier, kinder, more grateful, more willing to Give. We celebrate the birth of Jesus. We re-align our priorities in life.
There's just something different about Christmas that makes the season so special... I love it love it love it!
I decided to be Santa.
It feels like Christmas already. I LOVE this time of the year, not just because of the presents (but of course, these are ALWAYS good), but also because people act differently - the way it should be all the time: people are friendlier, kinder, more grateful, more willing to Give. We celebrate the birth of Jesus. We re-align our priorities in life.
There's just something different about Christmas that makes the season so special... I love it love it love it!
Like I said in my previous post
When things happen, they happen all at once. I'm having troubles falling asleep tonight. I can't blame it on the smell of my room, but I need to get my frustration out: someone was smoking up some marijuana in my building. Whatever the stupidity that got them into this bad habit, tonight it's affecting me. Coming back home from Goodes hall, I opened my door, and WHAM! A gust of Marajuana smoke whacks me in the face. I think to myself "yay. This is what I needed the most the night before my morning exam"
So now I have all my windows open, the fan is whurring away louding behind me, and I'm sitting here typing this blog. [Sigh] Oh boy, things are getting interesting these days.
When things happen, they happen all at once. I'm having troubles falling asleep tonight. I can't blame it on the smell of my room, but I need to get my frustration out: someone was smoking up some marijuana in my building. Whatever the stupidity that got them into this bad habit, tonight it's affecting me. Coming back home from Goodes hall, I opened my door, and WHAM! A gust of Marajuana smoke whacks me in the face. I think to myself "yay. This is what I needed the most the night before my morning exam"
So now I have all my windows open, the fan is whurring away louding behind me, and I'm sitting here typing this blog. [Sigh] Oh boy, things are getting interesting these days.
Interesting Observations
People usually tell me that when Life is good, it's REALLY good. But on the flip-side, when it rains in life, it POURS... I've always shrugged this notion off, but this phrase finally took meaning in my life this year. Lately, I've been struggling with all the assignments that ALL my professors have collaborated in having them due this weekend.
I was so scared that I wasn't going to finish this assignment in time that I really, literally wanted to run away and hide. I still haven't finished this one assignment, but I spoke to my prof and they've agreed to give me a short extension. Giving a 10 minute presentation in front of a class [improv] about some random drug was definitely a first for me. [sigh] Life treats you funny sometimes. I totally think that I'm going through a phase where God's trying to chisel some character out of me. I've been a big blob all my life, so maybe all these trials are simply part of this crash course He's enrolled me in. So much has happened at school, so much has happened at home...
I guess all I can do is take it in and embrace these challenges as they come. I believe some things happen for a reason. Maybe all my recent trials have happened for a reason too.
People usually tell me that when Life is good, it's REALLY good. But on the flip-side, when it rains in life, it POURS... I've always shrugged this notion off, but this phrase finally took meaning in my life this year. Lately, I've been struggling with all the assignments that ALL my professors have collaborated in having them due this weekend.
I was so scared that I wasn't going to finish this assignment in time that I really, literally wanted to run away and hide. I still haven't finished this one assignment, but I spoke to my prof and they've agreed to give me a short extension. Giving a 10 minute presentation in front of a class [improv] about some random drug was definitely a first for me. [sigh] Life treats you funny sometimes. I totally think that I'm going through a phase where God's trying to chisel some character out of me. I've been a big blob all my life, so maybe all these trials are simply part of this crash course He's enrolled me in. So much has happened at school, so much has happened at home...
I guess all I can do is take it in and embrace these challenges as they come. I believe some things happen for a reason. Maybe all my recent trials have happened for a reason too.
