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visions of clarity...do as infinity

Thursday, January 29, 2009

To Run or Not To Run

Hello

So for the past few days, I've had the SSA EXCO elections weighing on my mind. Not because I'm going to have to go for it [it's really long. And that's the most tiring part], not because I'm going to count the voting slips [that's the fun part!] but because it was suggested to me [and then I was nominated] to run for the post of President.

Now I actually considered it for a bit before coming to several conclusions about why I'm not going to run.

1) Renewal of Leadership
2) Commitment
But most importantly,
3) What is the point of the SSA and what is the point of me running for it?

1) Renewal of Leadership

With the same few faces returning time and again to help out, I feel it's time for members to step up and do something about an organization they belong to. We cannot just passively accept or take [as we will] what our organization gives us. If we ourselves don't give feedback, don't help out, don't do anything except complain and attend events, what good will it do for the organization? People need to go do something about it and that's why I feel fresh blood in the EXCO will help the SSA a lot - new ideas, new faces, new happenings.

2) Commitment

Time commitment is a huge problem for the EXCO. Too many things are dumped onto them to do - rather than distributing the workload, in the end the EXCO takes on everything by themselves which I feel is not only inefficient but also horribly time consuming for the EXCO. We need to learn that the EXCO is there to ensure things are run smoothly, not to do everything.

So seeing as I have such a problem with the SSA and I really think that I can do something about it if I wanted to, why am I not running? Firstly, I have my GPA to think about. Secondly, I have done my part for the SSA. Although no one really listened to me [or they did then rebuffed it] and no one really did anything about it, I think I tried to change what I could about the SSA. And it's time for someone else to do the same. It's not that I'm shirking responsibility in this organization exactly, it's more of the fact that I think we can't just rely on these few people to do everything - if that's the case the organization can die a natural death why not? If no one wants to do anything then we can just let it fall. It's not like a business organization, it's a social organization. If you feel you have a stake in it, do something about it.

Finally

3) What is the point of the SSA and what is the point of me running for it?

For reasons I still cannot decipher, I couldn't get around to why I should run for the SSA EXCO again. There are selfish reasons of course, resume-building, leadership training, etc. But beyond all that, why should I run? Why would I want to run? What would make me confident that I should definitely run again? I couldn't find satisfactory answers to any of these questions [if I could find answers at all]. Without a point, is there any reason why I should be doing it? We can't just do things blindly for the sake of things like, "Oh you're Singaporean and you have a responsibility and commitment to the SSA" - doesn't everyone who is Singaporean here have a similar obligation? So I feel like that's a poor reason. If I really wanted to change the SSA then maybe that would be a reason. But if I wanted to be a cultural ambassador, show people that Singapore is a great place with great people - I feel that there are other ways besides the SSA to do it.

And then I also came to ask myself - What is the point of the SSA? Has it been fulfilling it's purpose? When I examined the vision and mission of the SSA, I feel that while these notions might have been applicable in the past to a university where there are very few Singaporeans where it's just for comfort that you find people similar to you, it's not quite applicable now. There's a huge community of us and why is it that we are still so hung up on finding a home here? I feel like where you find your home is up to you and up to what you decide - a psychological thing if you will. So I was questioning the point of the SSA. Why did I join it? Why did I feel a stake in it so as to be in the EXCO? What makes me support their events time and again? And once again, I could find no answers.

Without finding a point, there is little meaning in me running. And that was my conclusion.

I think that I'm grateful for having been in the EXCO and experiencing what it's like to work here with other people. Without this experience, I probably wouldn't be able to come to those conclusions today and would probably just run for it, you know, just for the heck of it. An irresponsible thing to do of course; which is why I'm not running for it.

I'm probably giving up a good chance to assume a good leadership role which would look amazing on my resume. Probably. But I think it's more important for me to go find something I really want to do and do it, so I can finally find that elusive "interest" and "fulfilling university life" that I'm still looking for.

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Lost Coldplay + Human The Killers + 君をのせて 天空の城ラピュタ OST]
[mood : a load off my mind!]
[food : hot chocolate, hot soup, and SUPERBOWL SUNDAY SOIREE!]

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

新年快乐!

祝大家

新年快乐!万事如意!学业有成!

Andd.. I ran out of Chinese 成语 for Chinese New Year. Haha.=P A Happy Chinese New Year to everyone!

It was pretty much a non-event here except for the crazy SSA dinner [again! =( We should never ever do steamboat/hotpot/火锅...] and my first time at a live NBA game! xD That was super exciting by the way, and we totally got to eat a proper 年夜饭/团圆饭 with 点心 and everything! ^_^ Joyous.

All my photos are languishing in my camera's memory cards [yes. Plural.] and I really should do something about it soon [I mean seriously, this is the longest I've gone about being all lazy about uploading pictures and stuff..] but seeing as my time is occupied by projects, readings and *ahem* anime, it's kind of hard. Plus I need to shift stuff around in my C Drive to give them photos some room!

I will update soon. Or at least I'll try my best to do something about it soon. Plus I have so many exciting photos to post! [And what could be more exciting than food and pretty girls (ie: my friends. Haha.)?? =P]

I was updating to say something else besides Chinese New Year Greetings but I've forgotten what I wanted to say [and it's really noisy here those crazy hiphop practicing folks... Not that it's not entertaining to watch.]...

O well. Till next time!
cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Human The Killers]
[mood : =S]
[food : chicken porridge!]

Wendaye: The thing with Sigur Ros that I don't get is their whole gibberish thing. Hahaha.=P

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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Tuesday Special: Internationalize your Playlist!

Hello

Sick of just listening to English songs? Or Chinese songs? Bored of all those Japanese tunes that dominate your playlist? Well, this Tuesday's special is for you!

Note: I hope those strange letters and whatnot appear because I'll be very sad if some html gibberish appears.xP

From fabulous Europe!


Sigur Rós - Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur

Being very slow and all, I just discovered this band and I really like their music!!! =D It's pretty chill-out if you ask me.^_^ A nice contrast to genki music like jrock! Haha..


Michel Sardou - La Maladie D'Amour

A great favourite of my dad and myself.^_^ It reminds you of those really old hippy songs that's cheesy sounding but nice anyways.


ERA - Divano

Really famous and popular in the new age music circle.=)

Sadly.. All those fabulous Spanish pop songs won't let me embed videos! (T_T) I weep. I do, however, recommend La Oreja de Van Gogh and Nena Daconte.^_^

From "exotic" Asia!


北出奈菜 - 月華-tsukihana-

I adore this song, the opening theme for 地獄少女 三鼎 [Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae], the 3rd installment of the series. It's quite different from Kitade Nana's usual style which I like very much.=D


張韶涵 - 歐若拉

This is a really catchy Mandopop tune that impressed me when I heard for the first time during a karaoke session! =D Hehe.


Aishwarya Ai - Devdas

I love this dance sequence! It reminds me of the splendor and extravagance Bollywood exhibits in some of the films.=D Of course, it also helps that the song is catchy. ;)

From both sides of the pond!


Taylor Swift - Love Story

Totally overplayed here, so everyone is Ann Arbor is probably going to kill me, but I still think it's a nice song even if it's not terribly unique or anything.=P She is wearing a gorgeous dress though and her tied up hair is gorgeous too!! xD


Coldplay - Lost

Just because I love this song.=D Yay!


Nat King Cole - Quizas Quizas Quizas

Interestingly, this video is supposed to have been filmed in Japan! Haha. It's a classic Nat King Cole song so do enjoy!

Anyway, if you were wondering what inspired me to write this completely random and nonsensical post, it would be the fact that I'm trying to finish an article on why continents are continents and how they are defined, and so on and so forth. It would all be very interesting if I actually cared why Europe and Asia are defined as such but since I'm not quite a geographer by nature, I can't wait to get it over and done with.

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : all of the above!~]
[mood : grumpy at readings]
[food : Potato Chicken!]

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Saturday, January 17, 2009

Skiing, Falling, and Slurping

Hello!

Just returned from a fabulous and yummy dinner at Ajishin [udon!] and a full day of skiing at Mount Holly, located in the town of Holly, Michigan!

Of course, my muscles are aching, my calves are completely bruised from the stupid ski boots and I'm windswept/snowswept. But it was really fun! ^_^ Of course, I'm trying to convince myself that aching is a good thing, because it means that I used my muscles! Erm. Kind of.

No photos though sadly, as Roy warned me against it..X__X [smashing my screen again would not be a fun thing.]

We started off the day on the bunny slopes just to practice a little and I regretted it immediately when we went off to the green slopes [green is the easiest, blue is intermediate and black is expert] because the pully rope at the bunny slope to bring you to the top of it made me more tired than actually skiing down!!! RAWR. And the green slope was essentially a longer version of the bunny slope and much much easier to go down because it was wider. -_-" Stupid bunny slope. TRICKED ME! So yes. We went down the green several times before everyone decided that yay! Time for BLUE!

The blues in Michigan were much easier than expected and with some concentration and quelling of the fear of slopes, I managed to get down without falling [too] many times.=P Hahaha. Thank goodness for Roy [and one rescue incident by John..] if not I'd probably have been stuck on many a slope for a much longer time and froze half to death.

There was a snowstorm when we were at the slopes so the snow was coming down really hard and the wind was blowing like crazy. The coldest part of it all was sitting on the chairlift where you are powerless against the elements! Haha.. The wind got so bad, they closed quite a few chairlifts so you had to go through certain slopes in order to reach another chairlift on the other part of the mountain... But the best part was that because there was so much new snow falling, the slopes were perfect to ski down on and terrifically soft if you fell! ^_^

We made several trips to the warming hut to regain some feeling in our fingers and toes but essentially, we were out on the slopes most of the day.=D =D =D

Skiing is definitely fun! But I don't know if it's something I'd do very often.. Particularly when the aching next day is horrible.. xP

After dinner, we slowly and steadily made our way through the snowstorm to Novi for dinner at the glorious Ajishin!!! ^_^ The roads were awful and slippery and snowy and full of cars that rammed into the snowbanks on the side, but thanks to Roy's awesome driving skills, we made it there safely! It was a really slow journey but as I kept saying, "It's better to drive slowly than drive dangerously." ;)

Well we eventually arrived and ate ~delicious~ Japanese food at Ajishin! A steaming hot bowl of udon in the dead of winter is wonderful indeed! Next eating trip? RAMEN in Canton!!! xD xD xD YAY!~ But it was a really nice dinner and I enjoyed our random conversations all the way there and back.=)

Of course, the drive back involved snowy and slippery roads once again and I was pretty glad I didn't have to drive...

It was a great day though, super fun and I didn't think about school even once! =P I wouldn't mind going skiing again.. Next time though, I'm going to try my best not to fall. Haha. And now I owe Chenli and Roy many many dinners..=P

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Coldplay!]
[mood : achy..=P]
[food : udon!!!]

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Snowflakes Keep Falling On My Head

Hello

As I was walking home just now, the snow started to really pour down and all I could think of was this song!

Snowflakes Keep Falling On My Head

[adapted from BJ Thomas' Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head]

Snowflakes keep fallin' on my head
And just like the streets whose mounds are too high for my feet
Nothin' seems to fit
Those snowflakes are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

So I just did me some talkin' to the clouds
And I said I really love the way they got things done
Snowin' on the job
Those snowflakes are fallin' on my head, they keep fallin'

But there's one thing I know
The piles they send to meet me won't defeat me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Snowflakes keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my nose will soon be turnin' red
Rudolph's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the snow by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me

[trumpet]

It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me

Snowflakes keep fallin' on my head
But that doesn't mean my nose will soon be turnin' red
Rudolph's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the snow by complainin'
Because I'm free
Nothin's worryin' me

It's been snowing continuously for the past few days and we're going into the negative Fahrenheits soon. =P Looks like ski trip this weekend will be great and snowy!! Hahaha.=D

We need a snowfight SOON. ;_;

cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head BJ Thomas]
[mood : ^_^]
[food : fried rice!!! =P Snow Bunnies? Haha..]

PS: Happy Birthday Roy!!!!!!!!! Not that he ever reads this. But just in case.=P

ZL: Gosh you're GOOD! Haha.=D And I haven't seen the films yet...

Wendaye: Omg! If you go to Japan and I'm if I'm there, we can MEET and go EATT!!! xD xD xD They have a Sadaharu Aoki cafe in Tokyo!~ JOY.=D =D =D I err think that this porn might be actually artistic? *crosses fingers* Spanish Pop is pretty good! Haha.=P

Mom: EXPLICIT. X__X!!!

Sam: Can you still say that after the party?? Hahahhaa.=P

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Thursday, January 08, 2009

Back in Ann Arbor, Back to School

Hi everyone!

新年明けましておめでとうございます!
今年もよろしくお願いします!

A Happy New Year to everyone! For me, the new year only really starts now because well, being on vacation just doesn't really remind one of the harsh realities of life..

Such as school. *shudders*

And laundry. *deep sigh*

Anyway, I was looking at my resolutions from years past and well, I feel like I kind of achieved them but not really because I was really general anyway so I didn't have to do anything specific. So this year, I'll probably not make any resolutions because I seem to have the same resolutions every year and every year I only sort of achieve everything.

Coming back from Spain was a surprise in Ann Arbor because it was warm! And sunny! But then we got back from Orlando and it was icy so that was a nice reminder of the horrors of Michigan weather.. And last night, it poured with snow! Definitely not the snowstorm variety [according to witnesses the snowstorms here over the Christmas season makes everything else look like light flurries] though. ^_^" Of course, it'll probably turn into a melted mess before resuming an icy state to make everyone slip. Plus, it's supposed to snow over the next couple of days.

Yesterday I attended my first lecture for my Japanese Cinema class and received a gigantic list of films we'll be watching. O__O! It's like, really long. Haha. And apparently, we're watching not one but two porn films. I kind of died when the professor merrily told us about it. Ahem.

But anyway, I think I'm dropping a class because I still think that taking 18 credits [a full courseload] will not only kill my GPA but also myself. Especially when almost all my classes involve a crapload of reading and papers... Dropping a class I can take next semester should help! ^_^

Okay, time to resume the harsh realities of life like cooking lunch! Haha..
cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : 希望のカケラ 北出奈菜 + Tenia tanto que darte Nena Daconte]
[mood : lazy]
[food : chicken and vegetables!]

PS: Disneyworld was GREAT!!! ^_^ I shall post on that and Spain erm. SOON! I swear. =X
PPS: Spanish pop is amazing. xD

Simin: I will try to do it as promptly as possible!!
Wendaye: I love Italy too!!! It's closer to you as well. ;)
Jiamin: Haha.. WELL. For once, I was more inclined to their savory food! =P And I'm back in Ann Arbor, back to school.. ;_;

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Thursday, January 01, 2009

Goodbye Spain!~

Hello

Quick update; I'll update more when I'm back in Ann Arbor and when I have time on my hands, and unlimited internet usage..=_=

Spain has been great; the first week or so was the best because it was warm but it's been getting cooler in Madrid recently and becoming more European-winterish as the days pass.^_^ It was scheduled by the weather forecast that it'll rain several times but so far we've been lucky! ^_^

We welcomed the New Year the traditional Spanish way: Red Underwear and 12 grapes for 12 sweet months ahead! ^_^ Then of course, we opened a bottle of Cava [Spanish version of Champagne] and drank to the new year while the fireworks blasted all over Madrid outside the window.=D I find the 12 grapes a rather cute idea - 1 grape per second after the clock chimes 12!

We'll be leaving Madrid for Amsterdam before we catch our connecting flight to Detroit. Then from there we'll be off to Orlando, Florida! I personally am rather apprehensive about this whole thing now but I guess things will work out in the end. Haha..

Alright, off I go..
cheers
*[-witchstone-]*

[music : Hyde's Roentgen album]
[mood : ^_^]
[food : PASTA!]

Jiamin: Haven't been very impressed by the churros and hot chocolate. So sad. (T_T)

ZL: Hahaha. I am not back yet. Hold on to those images!!! I don't think I want to ruin my image of him though.. ;_;

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Welcome

visions of clarity...do as infinity
by witchstone

My Emotible!
starry-eyed: filled with such youthful hope and optimism that one's eyes twinkle even when it's dark

Wish List

ie: motivation to save money!
- clothes
- shoes [heels! boots!]
- the perfect tote
- coats/outerwear! [Soïa & Kyo, Burberry...]
- Gackt - nine*nine
- Gackt Photobooks:
1 The Gift The Sixth Day & Seventh Night Tour Document (2004)
2 Crescent Photobook (out of print)
- Cookbooks!
1 Thomas Keller The French Laundry Cookbook
2 The Nobu Cookbook
3 Emily Luchetti A Passion for Desserts
4 Alice Medrich Pure Dessert
- Anime/Manga
1 Rurouni Kenshin
2 xxxHOLiC
3 Tsubasa -RESERVoir CHRoNiCLE-
- Proficiency at Japanese!
- Learn French for Food!

Links

My Flickr Page
spoonerisms*inc a food blog (by wendy & I)
my translation blog

witchstone...
follow me on Twitter

Checklist: EAT!

The Common Grill, Chelsea
The Black Pearl, Ann Arbor
Good Girls Go To Paris Crepes, Detroit
Bella Ciao, Ann Arbor
Craft, NYC
Momofuku, NYC
Alinea, Chicago
The French Laundry, California
Goto, Singapore

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