Late night, late week posts, got to love them. I would have posted earlier, but there always seemed to be something better to do. And they were. Just that Sunday night seems to have this place set aside in my mind just for me to make the post. Comes from doing this too many times on Sunday nights.

Well this week wasn't very eventful, started on lower limbs, and back from bones... As you would assume, much less content than the coming weeks. However, the fact that the exams are actually coming up pretty soon sort of just struck me. The Formative Assessment (like a trial assessment to prepare us for the style of the upcoming Continuous Assessment) sort of woke me up to that fact (quite unpleasantly, actually),and although I have a tendency not to study for most things up until the last minute, I decided to Open the Sacred Textbook. Upon which I got quite a nasty shock. I learned one thing from the ordeal though... I think I'll open the book a bit earlier next time. Or, there's always the alternative... Simply abstain from opening.

I'm still struggling through what seems like a heap of information in the book that they don't come close to imparting (despite the fantastic lectures and insightful tutorials by Prof. Voon >.>). The worst thing is that, that's the stuff that comes out in the assessments. It's almost unfair in that sense... Maybe I'm still clinging to the spoon-fed goodness from my classroom.

I've got some sort of ear infection I think. Nothing major, but bad enough to piss me off. Feels like my hearing is partially impaired, and I think my ear canal is swollen, and it hurts. I guess I'll get it checked tomorrow if it doesn't improve. The clinic in NUS doesn't open on weekends anyway (what sort of clinic...), and can't be bothered going out searching for one, paying the doctor to diagnose it as otitis externa, and then paying for some ear drops to relieve the pain (no, I don't want antibiotics). But sigh, if it stays any longer I'll probably need them, so I've resolved that I'll go tomorrow (if it's still bad).

Ok, just felt like saying this. No offence to anyone, but seriously, what is with the whole "appear offline" thing on MSN? I mean, yeah I know, wow look I can be on MSN, but not get disturbed? Nifty! It's certainly handy, being able to stealth mode messenger. But I disagree with people who constantly make use of the feature. I mean, what are the motives behind appearing offline? I would say being able to choose who you talk to (eg. According to your own need), and not be socially obligated or disturbed by other people talking to you, would be a big one. Now just think about this: what would happen if everyone did that? You're going to sign into MSN messenger, and get hit by a wall of offline contacts. Everyone's just waiting for someone else to go online so they can say/ask/do whatever, but only to that specific person(s). What I'm trying to say is, I think appearing offline, while having it's uses, when used overmuch, is ultimately not a very generous gesture. It really boils down to taking without giving back (or only selectively doing so). Once again, there are reasons/times/places where this doesn't/cannot apply, but in general, I find this the case. Nothing against anyone though, just my thoughts on the concept =)

Oh yes, I met up with my grandparents on Thursday, they were in the country so I just went to meet them in the city at Peninsula Hotel, and we had dinner there. They certainly aren't dull or unrefined or unread (I almost typed undead here, too much games), and I must say they have a lot of dignity, especially for people of their age, really respect that. I find it sweet that my grandfather still treats my grandmother like a lady ^^. Anyway, there wasn't much to talk about really, double generational gap does a lot to conversation. Still, went through a fair bit... They flew off today, but I'll be seeing them on December when I fly over to Sri Lanka with the rest of the family for the birthday/anniversary celebrations.

Also just speaking a bit about politics and stuff made me realise something. Controversial as it sounds, I think that religion plays some part in inhibiting third world country advancement and development. Corruption actually has a foothold to take root from when a country is largely populated by majority of people with strong religious beliefs. I suppose education is sort of related to this, but then again the two are interconnected. Honestly, I think it's hard to find a first world country with a largely dominant religious belief held strongly by the majority of the population. It allows for seriously desperate and foolish measures by opposing parties (such as declaring extra weekly holidays on religiously significant days (which actually happened btw >.>)). They won the election (by a long shot, so sad), but killed the economy. So yeah. Just a noob's take.

Also, a friend of mine commented on a very valid point the other day: What's with everyone studying so hard?? I mean, you study hard in final year to get into the course you want. And then you get into the course you wanted, and you study even harder? What's the point? Why not kick back, relax, and ease up a little? I mean, sure, you study because you have to... But I think it's excessive in many cases (especially in Singapore). Unless you're gunning for the Dean's list, I can't really see any justification for it (unless you enjoy mugging). Maybe I'm just being shallow and not seeing the big picture.

First Aid course next week, should be an interesting change to the repetitive nature of daily lectures. The WoW arena season (4) is ending with this Tuesday's prepatch to the expansion (releasing on the 13th of November!). Some big changes incoming, but also means I can ease up on WoW a bit until then. My fingers hurt from playing my guitar (probably still sounds like sounds you'd get from hitting it). Oh well.

Bye.