고맙고 또 고맙고

Professor for the Comparative Corporate Governance class (the one who goes, "MEH-de-LEEn?")

Poor Deannie was forced to take the picture with me because I thought it would be extremely awkward to get her to take the picture for me (like, the professor could be wondering why the other exchange student didn't want to be in the picture too..)

 My professor for both my constitutional law classes! I really enjoyed the content of these two modules immensely. :D Constitutional law 짱!

This time, with an even more awkward photographer who was blushing/giggling as if this were some love confession - I don't get it - am I not supposed to be the one who should be embarrassed when asking for the photo? Why is the photographer shy and embarrassed instead??! -_____-"

Group photo with my Major Issues in Law and Society professor and classmates - this time round, everyone wanted the photo.. -.- Double standards leh, hahaha just cos he's nicer than the rest!!

I can't believe the school semester is ending in another week and that soon, it will be time to return home. (I don't mind returning home of course, it's the back-to-school part that is depressing) In fact, I'm surprised that I still feel continually surprised and thankful for the fact that I'm on exchange - every now and then when I'm sitting at my study table, I suddenly think to myself, "wow, I can't believe I'm studying overseas right now and that it has been close to 4 months in Korea - 4 whole months of independent living, of immersing myself in another culture, in another education system.." and feel amazed by everything that has been going on in my life. "Wow" isn't enough to describe this marvellous experience thus far but.. really, I am so grateful for this opportunity to go on exchange. This is truly a dream come true. 

(but we all have to wake from dreams, don't we)

Haha I know it's not the time to be greedy.. and I promise to make the most out of the remaining weeks in Korea!! I will, definitely. :')

It's no biggie.. but..

I know that my problems pale in comparison to those faced by some of my friends (in particular relationship issues) or many people around the world - there's no risk of a Russian invasion like that in Crimea, there's no need to worry about the availability of private and safe washrooms and we all live in a reasonably safe environment - but sometimes, I guess.. I'm just not as strong as I would like myself to be. Things (which may seem trivial to others) may have an effect magnified multiple times over on me and I simply can't help the manner in which I respond to them. People have different priorities in life, experience different setbacks and go through different phases of pain so I suppose, that makes us all very different people in the end. But please, don't judge (and think that what you go through is worse) because it becomes burdensome and it hurts. Instead, try to accept and understand.. for aren't we all striving to become a better person?

Laugh it off

Just dropping in for a moment to share this article which is pretty funny!

Some personal favourites...

And whoops, you don't pick them up, won't pick them up and can't pick them up? :O

Hahah but it's sorta different when someone says, "wow, why are you dressed so nicely/prettily today?" because it does feel like he's implying that I'm dressed shabbily every other day. Lol.

Anyway, I had a really good afternoon today, save for the afternoon lesson (it's a freaking public holiday - why are we the only ones having lesson in a somewhat deserted campus), because I attended a Yonsei basketball match! I'm so glad I checked my email yesterday for IT WAS SO MUCH FUN!! :D I don't have the pictures in my computer right now so I can't post them but.. really, it was a.w.e.s.o.m.e.z.! I've always enjoyed basketball/netball/handball matches but I guess watching my university in a match *grins* made it an even more special and memorable experience! I'll post them up tomorrow! Woots!

But.. I think I pulled a muscle or something today (can I blame the 5 trips to the laundry room or the wasted trip to the SUB) cos I can't walk properly right now ): Just limping around the dormitory, hoping that the pain will go away. Anyway, gotta go study now! Exam's on Saturday and we just had our last lesson today - need to cover 7 weeks of materials in 2 days! GOGOGO!!

I can't focus.

Lacking a reassuring presence in my life, I realise.

Where calmness once resided, there's now imbalance.

Feelings running wild all over, just stop the time.

That is one soaked tissue.

Dilemma: To skip or not to skip.

I wish I slept earlier. Doh.

I was supposed to sleep at midnight but here I am, still awake at such an unearthly hour. The worst part? I've made little progress with the research paper.. I haven't been able to work on it over the past two days because I spent the time meeting up with a friend from Singapore and so, I was supposed to work on it a whole lot more today. But the words just ain't coming! Even when they do, I end up questioning their relevance (half the time, I'm just like, "what in the world am I writing?"). It's frustrating and making me angry at the same time. I only have 4 more days left till the presentation but I have a picnic and concert scheduled on Saturday and a outfield trip on Sunday. What have I gotten myself into????? I can't request to change the picnic date because it's a class thing.. and yet, it wouldn't be polite to be a no-show on that day. Will I be able to finish my paper, slides and script by Monday? Sigh. I gotta be the only student, in the entire history of SMU exchange students, who is feeling stressed out by work and exams. I need to learn to take it easyyyyyy.

To make things worse, my exam next saturday clashes with MY concert of the year (and yes, I paid a fortune for the ticket). If you thought the 6-hour mid-term exam was horrifying, imagine my reaction upon learning that the final exam is going to be a freaking 12-hour long thing. I was just speechless. I could only laugh awkwardly at the professor and space out. Apart from the insane duration of the exam (same conditions apply), I'm in a dilemma as to whether I should still go/can go for the concert. I definitely can't finish the 12-hour paper in half the time (if I go for the concert, I have to be done in 7 hours) but should I just "Yolo" it and go for the concert? The rational side of me disagrees and prioritizes the exam but the other 'me' resists the idea of skipping the concert. It's one of the highlights of the trip!

Life and its choices.
Life and its 12-hour exams. (SIAO)
Life and its frustrating research papers.

Give me a break, will ya?

Rainy Day

It's raining really heavily right now - been pretty much raining the entire day - and here I am, sitting at my desk, trying to achieve the impossible (aka finish my work). On a happier note, I'm almost at the 3000-word mark for my research paper so that leaves me with about 1000 more words to go! It's really tedious work trying to analyse a movie in that many words (haha) but I still have a week so cheer me on! I can do it! *\o/*

Sunday was supposed to be my day off; it was D-Day to venture out of Seoul, explore new places, see new sights and create new memories.. but I changed my mind this morning after checking the weather forecast. The last thing I need right now is to huddle miserably under my tiny umbrella, braving the cold rain and strong winds, only to get drenched pathetically. So I cancelled my plans to visit Incheon (planned for weeks, sigh) and decided to stay in to, do what else but work! I went out for lunch and dinner so at least I got fresh air and some exercise but the rest of the time was either spent on work or a power nap. I didn't get to explore new places as I intended to but surprisingly, it was a fair enough day. Passable, if not mildly enjoyable. (: No stress by the rain, no stress from people, no stress from work (I lie - workload is overwhelming) - just me and my nice, comfortable room. For once, the room was actually cold (yippie!) because it was raining and I opened the balcony doors to let the wind in. We're not going to get the same cool air everyday (would I trade natural air conditioning for rain.. hmmm, maybe not?) so I really hope the Housing Office switches on the air conditioner soon.. before we all suffocate from the heat. It was so warm under the covers last night because there was hardly any air circulation in the room and I took a long time to fall asleep. *frowns in displeasure* We're paying so much for the room so at the very least, give me some ventilation!!! Staying at the basement means we rarely get natural ventilation (the wind) since the building blocks the airflow! And even if we do get natural air conditioning, we get free guests (the very unwelcome mozzies) too - why should slapping mosquitoes be our night past-time?! NUUUUUUUUUU *flips table* ahahahaha

Reflections

Sometimes, we wish we were stronger.


On a happier note, we've been reunited with each other!