Master in Procrastination

This is the last week of July and I'll miss the summer holidays. I've approximately 2 weeks of holidays left and I intend, must, make the most out of it.

 I still have tasks left undone after putting them off for so long. What can I say, except that I'm a master procrastinator. To be honest, this word does not exist in my dictionary because I think everyone procrastinate from time to time. After all, tomorrow is such a beautiful word.

My lovely, carefree summer days will soon be replaced by stormy seas and chilly Autumn winds. Sometimes, I asked myself whether going to the University is such a chore and I often found it to be true. But, I wouldn't trade it for anything else, well, maybe for happy times.

I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop, that's all.

A Decade of Magic

"No story lives unless someone wants to listen" - J.K. Rowling

The truth just hits home, this is really ending, isn’t it? All of it.

True, the books series may long have ended in 2007, but for us, the movies are always a sense of continuity. After all, there are still 3 films to go.

To quote producer, David Heyman “We always knew we were coming back, but this time, we know we won’t”. Don’t I feel depressed when I hear this statement?

It has been nearly a decade since I first experienced the glorious world of Harry Potter and magical London, and I never look back.

I remembered the countdowns, the pre-orders, the late-night readings, the premieres, the “celebrations” with fans all over the world, the cheers and tears I shed. Through the ups and downs of school life, one thing stays true and that is Harry Potter (the series). I always know I can count on the magical world to keep my spirits up.

There were some points during the 10 years where my love for Harry Potter seemed to have faded but it was never truly gone. I came down from a high at some points of life and it soared again as I grew older and the story grew darker. Harry Potter and friends were growing and so was I.

I remembered reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets for the first time in my life when I was 10, which was lent to me by a friend. Few months later, I supposed, I went on to watch Chamber of Secrets and that was the event that triggered my passion and from then on, I was hooked. I bought my first book, Prisoner of Azkaban and it was and still is my favourite. After that, well, I never missed each book release and movie opening day.

To think that the journey is ending tomorrow!

This is will the last hurrah for us fans, the last time where we can countdown, dress up, cheer and party as the lights dimmed and celebrate the legacy J.K.Rowling has gifted us.

There will be no more of these occasions once 14^th July pass. Even though, the magic stays on and shall thrill generations to come, there is no longer the “X” factor, that special moment to savour. With instant gratification in terms of books and movies, anyone can access them and thus, they are not deem as precious as they were to us.

We are the pioneers, the “Harry Potter generation” who grew up and attended Hogwarts with the protagonists. We are there for every step, from finding the perfect actors, to making the movies, to gasping in horror at plot holes. We are there as J.K.Rowling wrote her books, releasing them over the years, with her fans impatiently counting down the days for each book release. We were the ones who come up with all those speculations about how series will end.

To all those who have been there since the beginning of time, kudos and thank you for staying on. I feel like a first time parent who has been there, watching his child grows up, and now, he is an adult and ready for a brand new world.

If this is how I feel as a fan, I wonder how Rowling felt when she finally handed up her manuscript and saw her brainchild being released for the final time. Gods, the pride and agony...

Over & Out

Exams are over and I'm out of school!

Phew, the relief I felt after the Legal Aspects of Business paper ended was indescribable. That feeling of high tension I put myself through to keep my pace was gone as soon as the clock stroke 4.30pm.

It wasn't the difficult paper I envisioned and I finished it with time to spare. I found it doable, just like Managerial Account 2.

Now, eyes will be on my final grades for the semester, which will either make or break my cumulative GPA. For studies, I have never wanted something more than I want my GPA to reflect my hard work. Seriously, I have put in so much effort and sheer hard work this 3 years, and I don't want it to all go to naught just because of one lousy semester.

So, after the paper, my group and I went down to Timbre at Clarke Quay to celebrate. I have never been to that part before so it was truly an experience. Since we reached at about 6pm, we were their first customers.

My friend ordered a Margarita and I drank 2 sips. It was not bad, except that I like it better when the ice melted. We left before the live band started.

And that day was officially the last day of the Poly life. I can't say whether I am sad to leave because I am still not recovering from the "high" that is holidays.

I have push myself really hard these past weeks, even going into computer-celibacy. I never have chance for leisure reading and I cut down on time spent online during the exam season. During projects, all I did was surfed the net for related subjects.

I expect that withdrawal symptoms will kick in soon.

One thing I hope to get fulfil before University starts is to, of course, go for a vacation in the States. Really, really, please. I want to do something for myself once. I need a fairy godmother.

Of Treasures & End

Today was quite the eventful day for me.

For one, I finally cleared and spiffed up my cupboards since years. It's on my to-do list this holidays, I just never got about doing it. Well, on this beautiful, last day as a free person, I did it.

I will give myself a pat on the back for a job well-done. I had this big bag full of papers and what not to throw away. In the midst of clearing, I discovered treasures from the past.

Can you imagine having diskettes still? Those should belong to a Museum of technology. Lots of mouse pads too.

I had uncovered diary entries that made me laugh in horror. Boy, was my spelling atrocious back then. It isn't exactly better now but all thanks to spell-check, I can ensure that what I wrote is proof-read.

Anyway, I can't bear to throw all my memories away. I just ripped off some of the notes that I did way back when I was in Primary School.

I had collected many news articles over the years. Those I can't bear to see them gone. Each and every one is important to me. Why else would I cut them out in the first place? Lots of Harry Potter related articles, posh cars advertisements that caught my eye, etc.

I did throw out those movie reviews I thought was bad taste. Pheesh, what I want are facts and news coverage, not some critical reviews which has absolutely nothing to do with what I like. If they don't like it, fine, I don't have to read what they have to say.

I vacuumed and wiped my tables.

I still didn't managed to spiff up everything. But the remaining potions will have to wait. Holidays are a-ending and I'll extremely not free.

Well, well, I am proud of myself having accomplished what I set out to do.

Besides cleaning, I arranged for a pedicure and haircut session as well. A new start for a new semester.

I tried something new this time. I went for a dark blue colour for my toes. It's pretty bold for me to choose this colour because I usually stick with pinks.

Alas, the polish was not completely dried and I hit my foot against the pedestal in the hair salon. Gone was my nicely painted toes. I really, really hated it...

Luckily, it was my toes instead of my fingernails.

Today was extremely wonderful as I don't have work! This is the crucial event that led to my arrangements.

The end is near.

Gone with the wind

Ahhh, this feeling of weirdness inside me.

The semester will end on Thursday, after the interview role-play and quiz. On one hand, I'm very glad that the term will end very soon. On the other hand, I will miss this semester.

I don't know, unlike other semesters, this has got to be the best and the worst. It is like a love/hate relationship, non?

The team dynamics have been more than great but the stress levels I felt is way too high. I wouldn't want to say I miss what I experienced because I'm happy to get rid of it. I have had fun this semester and it makes me nostalgic.

I feel "off" this semester, like I'm too strung-up, or is that my New Year resolution taking place?

I'm grateful and fortunate to get pretty good and approachable tutors/lecturers. Or perhaps, I am a little bias in this aspect since they have been good with our projects and grades. I can only hope that my remaining semesters teachers will be as well as them.

Suddenly, it seems I'm thrust into the big, wide world. All those late nights mugging for projects and more projects, then, all of a sudden, I'm free! The feeling is strange. I have so much time on my hands.

Ha, those extra effort out into projects are going to be worth it. The tutors seem kind of impressed with what we have. All I know is that SME will give me an A, well, unless they moderate the marks. I'll scream if I get a Z.

I don't want to speculate much before the results. Lest I jinx it. Oh, the agony, to have to wait about one month before I can get the grades for this semester. At least 4 As, with my fingers crossed.

I'll be making the most of my holidays. I plan to start water-painting and doing my countdown clock. But, right now, I just want to relax and clear my brain. And my brain is dead, indeed. I can't think or wish to do anything at this moment.

I have strong wishes to go on a vacation... However, it is falling short. Still, I will hold on to that hope.

Chinese New Year is just around the corner. As much as I said that I felt no spirits for it, after shopping and going out on Saturday, I felt so much better. I can hardly wait for it! New clothes, hanging out with family, maybe for a movie or two, who doesn't like that?

Finger crossed for my interview.