Good Omens book review

Once every while, one will have the good fortune to find hidden gems amidst the mountains of books published and available in the market each year. When you do, sit back, relax with a cuppa and while your time away with the good read.

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett is one such gem. It has been published for more than a decade and in terms of picking it up, I'm late in every sense. However, I can take heart that an adaptation for a television series is coming up in 2013.

I caught wind of it when I was reading Sherlock fanfiction and chanced upon Sherlock/Good Omens crossovers. These fanfictions are truly lovely featuring the Sherlock characters as angels/devils on Earth. Hence, I now have to track down this "elusive" novel. I placed a reservation in the library and voila!

The novel is an absolute treat and deliciously witty. It is exactly my cup of tea when it comes to books - a hint of sarcasm and wit with lots of brilliant ideas. I find myself bursting into laughter at the 'ridiculous' stuff made up by the very human-boy Antichrist - tunnelling Tibetans, Atlantians with diving gear and raining fish creatures.

Good Omens is described as a quasi-parody and touched on topics such as the Apocalypse, angels, demons, Good, Evil, Heaven, Hell and witchcraft. I'm not particularly religious so it's perfectly fine for me to read such things written in such a light-hearted manner. But, I can imagine some (overzealous) people being touchy over it.

I highly recommend it to those who appreciate witty dialogue and comical characters.

Grades for Semester 1.2

I don't have Cs. I've just got one (for now). And it is enough to last a lifetime. That's a bad example of using Sherlock's quotes, isn't it?

The results for Semester 2 came in today and while I've always been rather calm since the end of the examinations, I must admit that I'm disappointed at getting a C for Methods in Geography. Does that mean that my final exam is really that bad? Maybe I was pulled down by the B- I got for the project.

Regardless of what, I don't want to speculate too much or get too affected by it. Cest la vie. Sometimes, you can't always get what you wanted.

For Water and the Environment, I received a B. The 60% of projects really helped a lot. For Lifespan Development, it was a B-, slightly shocking because I thought I will do better. For Southeast Asia studies, I received a B+, quite expected, seeing as I was the most confident for that exam.

That concludes one year of studies in University. Seeing the results bought a relevation for me, I realise my standards are at the level-1000 modules. Perhaps as this is my first time ever taking level-2000 modules, I did not know what to expect or overestimated my limits. I will buck up when the year 2 comes along. There shall be no more slacking off unnecessarily.

Pinch

One will only feel the pinch when one is spending one's own money. It's the holidays which means that the pocket money has ceased and I'm "living" on my savings. Thank goodness I have a part-time job or else the situation will be worse.

After spending a sum on painting stuff and books, I have to earn back what I spent. As much as I hate working for longer hours, 4 days a week, I've not much choice. If I want to have the autonomy to buy what I want, then I've got to work for it, isn't it?

It's the third week of the summer holidays and I'm slacking at home, which is good as it is what I want and have been dreaming of. When else is there a chance for your brain to shut off completely? This is what I call a holiday; less worries with less burdens and full relaxation. I have more control of how I want to spend my time and my activities, which more or less means sitting in front of the laptop.

Unfortunately, there's no plans of going overseas this holiday. Else, it would have completed my goals. I'm 21, and I've yet to fulfil my goal (going to Florida).

I guess I have shifted my perspective a little. It's still on my agenda but now I'm more interested in Europe, in particular, England. This interest is of course, brought on by my love for Sherlock (BBC) and the upcoming Summer Olympics. The places which were shot in the series look inviting and beautiful. It is inevitable that people are going to gain awareness about London from these 2 events.

Celebrations

This came a bit too late but oh well.

I officially celebrated my birthday last Saturday with a dinner at Bosses at Vivocity. It has been such a long time since we went there.

On Sunday, I got to celebrate at my cousin's house with Awfully Chocolate cake, pizzas and KFC. Yes, I realised this is the 3rd year I had a cake from Awfully Chocolate. I'll change next year on.

I know that people usually have a obligatory 21st birthday party but I'm not like others, right? Parties are not really my area or my division. I will feel so awkward being the center of attention. So, no thanks.

On Monday, since it was holiday in lieu for my brothers and I am on holidays anyway, the parents took a day off and we went to catch The Avengers on IMAX at Shaw Lido.

The movie is really awesome! I'm not someone who really like action-packed movies but The Avengers is an exception. Perhaps, I just have more interest in certain heroes movies than other superheroes, say Superman or Batman. To be honest, I think a strong motivator for my liking is the share of good-looking actors in it. Lots of girls certainly thought so.

I added a couple of new charms to my Pandora bracelet. I chose a blue swirly Murano glass bead and a red enamel poppy flower bead. Actually, I wanted to get a flower dangle but it costs too much. Maybe, I will get it later on. Maybe, I will change my leather bracelet to a silver one. All these could only happen when I get my pay so I have to grit my teeth and put in more hours during this holiday.

I already received my traditional gift, a key, from the parents. It is a heart-shaped key pendent, made from rose gold with two little diamonds from Lee Hwa Jewellery. I usually prefer silver jewellery but because there was a lack of designs from the silver collection, I chose to go with rose gold instead.

All in all, I'm extremely grateful to have "survive" for this long and cheers to many years to come. I once told myself that I have to live till I manage to visit the countries I like.

21st Birthday

Source: A Study in Pink

Today, I celebrate 21 years in existence. Today, I reach a milestone in Life.

Of course, there is still a long way ahead for me.

One more day to my birthday!

Summer Time

It's finally SUMMER!!! In this joyous occasion, I think it is a must to insert 3 exclamation marks to show my obvious elation.

The finals are said and done. It felt like eons ago since I sat for the papers on Wednesday. My mind have been blissfully blank from then. Truth be told, I cannot recall what I've studied for the exams.

In the morning, I had to deal with Methods in Geography. The definitions section was good, the memorisation paid off. Section B was tough and Section C was ho-hum. Hopefully, I will be able to do ok.

In the afternoon, I'd a paper on Lifespan Development. I'll never arrange for 2 exams in one day again. Seriously. It is enough to stress anyone to tears. Can you imagine the feelings that while the rest of the students were cheering and going home, you have to get ready for the next exam? That is pure torture. Not to mention, the stress it puts on your brains. It's like taking an adrenaline shot, twice.

Anyway, I've never been more relief for "mid-life crisis"! I think, in same dark corner of my mind, I've known that this topic will come out after a not-so-subtle hint by the lecturer. But one can never be too sure about this kind of matter. The 60 MCQs were more or less alright, I supposed. Some choices made me laugh though.

So, that concludes the summary and the first year of my miserable life in University. Time does pass so shockingly fast.

This is my first summer holiday and of course, I can do what I want and relax.

Come What May

I am not ready but the show must go on. I will face the herculean task of completing two exams tomorrow and live to tell the tale.

I can only hope I'll do it reasonably alright, just a B, and that's that. Summer holidays, here I come!