#15: Taking Stock

It’s roughly the middle of the semester, time again to take a step back and gain some perspective.

Semester 2 has been a rough compared to Semester 1. While I had lessons nicely spread out in Sem 1, Sem 2 has me going for back to back lessosn for six hours at a shot. I had time last semester to sit down and game at the Deck with my friends; this semester all I have time for is sitting down and lunching before moving off to the next class.

That said, lessons this time are more interesting. Deciding to major in Communications and New Media has allowed me to get started on major-related modules, which are more applicable than the introductory classes taken last semester. Tutorials are more interesting, and I have the chance to pick up new software skills. Photoshop be damned, I really like Illustrator.

It’s just under two months to the semester break, but there will be no rest even then. CCAs are gearing up, with both Resonance and NJChorale getting started with concert preparations. Not to mention A Cappella Championship rehearsals, which I suspect will kick off soon enough. My only chance at respite will come during the study break for this semester’s final exams, after which everything will resume once more.

Some part of me likes how busy I am though. While I do agree with the need to have time home alone, I’ve never been one to stay home for more than a couple of days in a row. I need to get out and do things, to feel like I’m making good use of my time. The upcoming semester break’s set to be an action-packed one.

Of course, the obvious shortcoming is that I probably won’t have the time to get a job. Coupled with all the meals out that rehearsals necessitate, I’ll have to be very serious with regard to budgeting and saving in order to avoid being broke this holiday.

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March 10, 2010 – 2:20 pm
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#14: New Year

Despite my initial attempts at blogging more regularly, it’s been quite a while since I’ve written anything here. Much has happened since the previous entry; my first semester of collegiate life has flown by, along with its associated project deadlines and examinations. So, too, has caroling, with its sometimes less-than-productive rehearsals but ultimately fairly successful performances. Christmas and the New Year have snuck by, and with that 2009 (and a whole decade) comes to a quiet close.

It’s been quite a decade. The years between 2000 and 2009 are, arguably, going to be the most formative years of my life. Time spent in and between secondary school, junior college and eventually the army put me through challenges and situations that have shaped me. My 21st birthday and entry into college (plus passing my driving test) all helped to mark out my transition into young-adulthood. When I enter the workforce, I’ll truly consider myself an independent adult.

But enough of looking so far ahead. What does 2010 bring to the table? For starters, it carries the promise of progressively difficult and specialised education. Scoring a CAP of 3.7 in Semester 1 wasn’t disappointing, but it wasn’t as good a result as I’d hoped for. More work-life balance is called for, and with semester 2 about to begin I’ll have to quickly settle back into the routines of school. I’ve declared a major in Communications & New Media, and although I’m interested in it only time will tell if I continue to stick with it. Chances are that I will though, lots of thinking precluded this decision.

2010 also brings more opportunities for singing and performance. NJChorale is likely to put up a small-scale concert once again; the momentum from 2009 has to be maintained. NUS Resonance will be putting up Vocal Obsessions IV this year, which means that at the very minimum I’ll have two productions worth of preparations to undertake. It’s going to be a very exciting year ahead.

The New Year is also a chance for me to fully put into place projects that I’d attempted at various times last year. Personal expense tracking is at the top of that list, with a GTD system a close second. Along with a now-secure habit of calendaring, success in these projects should find myself in good stead to tackle the task of organising the multiple aspects of life. It’s going to be tedious, but I believe it’s worth working toward.

That’s as close as I’ve ever come to putting down resolutions for myself. We’ll see how things go as the year goes by. For now, here’s wishing everyone who reads this less-than-satisfactorily-updated blog a very blessed and fulfilling 2010.

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January 2, 2010 – 9:03 pm
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#13: Free Time

Perhaps the most difficult thing to do in school is to use free time productively. Breaks between lessons are at least two hours long, and it’s been difficult to find the motivation to sit down and get real work done. I’m still fairly current with regards to other aspects of school life; readings are more-or-less done within the week, and I actively take notes during lectures. But these long breaks, often spent in the canteen? Meh.

As I type this I find myself coming to the end of a three-hour-long break. My next tutorial starts in 35 minutes time, but with today being the first tutorial of the module I’ll have to allow myself additional time to locate the venue. Just like that, three hours have passed. That’s including time for lunch, but even with that it’s still a sizable chunk of time doing and accomplishing nothing much in particular. The only measure of productivity I have from this period is half a geography reading. Which, I tell myself, is better than nothing at all.

In other news, Snow Leopard is slated for release this Friday! I’m quite excited, having joined the growing legion of Mac users at such a dynamic time. I’m planning a full backup of my system so that I can perform an erase-and-install once I get my copy in the mail. It’s things like this that occupy me instead of my studies during these long breaks. Woe is me.

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August 25, 2009 – 9:03 pm
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