It’s been a long time since I last sat in Starbucks, with nothing but coffee in my hands and music in my ears, with nary a thought in my mind as I look out at the people passing by.
Happy Good Friday to all. Let today be a brief respite, a little infusion of calm and inner peace before the final lap of the semester.
Tagged: Thoughts
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.
Tagged: School
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.
Tagged: Thoughts