Friday, March 31, 2006
There's a wasp/hornet nest hanging right outside my window and try as I might, I can't identify them. Of the subfamily Polistinae, paper wasps? The material and the cell-like structures of the nests do vaguely resemble that of paper wasps. And the entire thing is attached to the wall/ceiling by a short stalk. Can't think of any other wasps which do that (and they are social). But the shape of the structure... it's wrong, it's not an upside-down bell. Urgh. Help. The wasps themselves are short and fat, and come in the typical black-and-yellow attire. So far... having observed them scuttling to and fro, I haven't seen a single one carry any material or organism of any sort. I wonder what they actually do. Are they all females? Where's the queen? How big can that nest get? Why're all the openings of the cells facing one direction? Am trying to get a better shot of an individual. The reach of my macro's too short and with the tele I've to stand too far away. I might end up looking at them through my binos while in a chair at my desk.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
True to the S'porean tendency to apply abbreviations to whatever words whenever possible, I've found these while going about my business:
APPLES: Application for Passport On-line Electronic System
OSCARS: One-Stop Change of Address Reporting Service (to inform participating government agencies and statutory boards of your change of residential address)
And if A*STAR wasn't unoriginal enough, here's another STAR (Special Tactical & Rescue Unit)... the SWAT equivalent of the Singapore Police Force.
APPLES: Application for Passport On-line Electronic System
OSCARS: One-Stop Change of Address Reporting Service (to inform participating government agencies and statutory boards of your change of residential address)
And if A*STAR wasn't unoriginal enough, here's another STAR (Special Tactical & Rescue Unit)... the SWAT equivalent of the Singapore Police Force.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Wildlife in the house?
I haven't stepped out of my home since I arrived on Monday night. Been revising haaard... almost halfway through Applied Eco. Almost. So far - a lime butterfly and a cicada have paid me a visit. The former's an adult reared by my sis while still a caterpillar, and the latter... well, you could say Banjo 'found' it when he decided to stop by the dining room windows. He's a bit scruffy so I decided to give him a little sprinkle in my bathroom.No plans to get out too soon though; can't afford the time. No, not when even coursemates on msn can't spare a few minutes to chat - we're all studying. Gotta renew my passport, send my D70 for servicing, grab a coupla things from here and there and boy do I really want to visit that Star Wars exhibition... can't miss it twice! But arrghh... < 4 weeks till exams.
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Last days of term: Dr Lamb's experiment, NHM, Anna's birthday, and sushi-making
I'm not gonna bother explaining what yesterday's Lamb experiment was about - Xi, having been one of the seven (six?) experimental subjects, has a full account on her blog. All I can say was that it was great fun - no, I didn't drink, I shot, I witnessed a lot of things I would have been best left not witnessing, and I ran off to wrap up my BCB course by supporting partner Soph's talk on our otter action plan. I rejoined the others in Lamb's office after an hour, only to find a pinked-up Marvin (Sook Sook the traitor, he was wearing an EEE hoodie!), a red Xi and a very intoxicated Xiao.
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It was NHM again in the arvo, but my sup Mick was nowhere to be found. I suspected he was at the Union Bar - where he and some other entomologist dudes hang out on Fridays - but he emailed later on explaining how he was at the airport receiving a Chinese visitor, but missed him as they were both at different terminals. "Not sure how to pronounce his first name though Cong, I need your help with this!"
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Anna aka Princess' birthday at night was one of the most memorable. Dinner and karaoke in London! With HK/S'pore/BBC bio gang and the MUN'ers. We sang mostly Cantonese songs, with the occasional English song so that our international friends won't be left out - but they were the cheesy BSB types, that or "I'm a big big girl in a big big world". Well, they were enthusiastic about the whole idea of KTVs to begin with... which was just totally great. Too bad there weren't any Japanese songs though. I thoroughly enjoyed myself... we were all on a high throughout the night.
Johannes and Sun proposed going to an arcade or playing pool... but... the rest weren't keen... so the remnants of the gang ended up at my place and played (or learnt to play) mahjong.
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Today we had the Japanese MUNers over. I love these little visits by the MUN gang. It's always a bit of social, a bit of debating, and there's always some munching. They were here, these noble senseis, to share with us the techniques of sushi-making. I missed the bits in the middle, but returned just in time to join them in discussions of Japanese geishas and maikos, prostitution in countries, the Islamic law in Bahrain, and female escort services. lol... :)
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Well, fun's over, it's time to pack. I'll be flying off tomorrow.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Photos from today. Yeah, Xi helped - in the Entomology Dept! I still haven't told Mick. I've told him that I'd be going back to S'pore for the term break and so he shouldn't be expecting me at work for a while, but I haven't told him about my FYP and what will come after that. He'll be depressed, and I'll blame myself. I can't have that. I'd nominate Xi as my replacement, but heck, she's coming to Silwood too.
I should grab some sleep. I really should. I'll be going home soon and there're these three pimples - which appeared in just these two days - which I need to hide from my mom. She cares more about my complexion that I do, so I gotta take care of my face. -_-"
I'm not sure why I don't feel like sleeping... too much coke? Too excited about the end of term, the end of lectures, and the end of the learning bit of my undergrad life? I've only realised, talking to my mom just now over the phone, that I'll never need to visit the South Ken campus again - at least, not the lecture rooms of SAF. Nor the labs, the computer rooms, or the cafe. And after tomorrow, there will be lots of faces I won't ever be seeing again. Maybe I'm nervous about the uncertainty of everything from now on.
I don't know what I should do on Saturday morning. What else I need to do. I don't know what I should pack. I don't know what I should leave here in London. I still don't know if I'll be staying.
I know, though, that the exams are drawing near - in exactly a month's time - and I should be revising like hell.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
NHM's Central Hall was transformed into a banquet hall of sorts yesterday. Men in black were rappelling down the columns hanging up a Big Black Cloth with Starry Lights, a lady was arranging yellow candles on the main stairway, Dippy the dino was lit up red from the underside, and a lot of other people in black were hurrying about setting tables and looking useful.
Xi said she heard the PA announcing the closing of museum earlier on. Little wonder why they were so eager to get rid of the visitors in such a jiffy.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
I really really ought to have a shower.
But there's no gas... for the upteenth time. No hot water.
Sometimes, I wonder. This sucks. So much so for all the rent and the other bills.
Twice we were completely waterless, once the toilet bowl was stuffed and full to the brim of floating poo.
I don't feel like going out until I have that shower. My head smells.
But there's no gas... for the upteenth time. No hot water.
Sometimes, I wonder. This sucks. So much so for all the rent and the other bills.
Twice we were completely waterless, once the toilet bowl was stuffed and full to the brim of floating poo.
I don't feel like going out until I have that shower. My head smells.
Final piece of coursework ever
This is the last assignment I'll ever get in my degree course... gotta make the poster presentation a good one! Since I've finished this earlier than expected, I think I'll wrap up the final bits and pieces tomorrow and make a visit to the NHM. Haven't been down in a while; Mick's gonna wonder what's happened to me. Gotta break to him the bad news too - I don't think I'll be seen in the Ent Dept for quite a long while to come... shall be flying back home this weekened, then'll it'll be the exams, then it'll be Silwood for FYP... then... goodness knows... I'm still waiting to hear from Sci Comm regarding my postgrad application. They say they'll decide within four weeks, and this is week 4.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
SingSoc Major Event 2006: Rojak! last night - photos
I didn't do anything this year, didn't perform, organise, advise, or anything. I'd prolly fade out from the workload had I taken up juggling yet another ball. I was a photographer, as usual. It has become my default position of responsibility, the only nature of my involvement with them this entire year, and months to come; I'm already booked for covering Sojourn 2006. And again, I must stress... I'm a 'orrible 'people' photographer and I don't actually take a great liking to this sort of work... but photographers aren't that common a breed (why?) and they're often, unfortunately, needed.
Comments on the show? It was evident that everyone's put in tonnes of effort. And they managed to bring if off much better than expected... I was feeling quite nervous for them during the rehearsals. But other than that, I shall reserve my comments (partly 'cos I was concentrating more on getting decent shots rather than actually listening to the singing and happenings on stage... and partly 'cos... bleah).
From 2005 - Reach!
From 2004 - Flaggellah
At this point, I'd just like to say a word: loyalty. Doesn't it mean anything to some people?
Btw, thanks Lu and the MUN'ers for your support!
I didn't do anything this year, didn't perform, organise, advise, or anything. I'd prolly fade out from the workload had I taken up juggling yet another ball. I was a photographer, as usual. It has become my default position of responsibility, the only nature of my involvement with them this entire year, and months to come; I'm already booked for covering Sojourn 2006. And again, I must stress... I'm a 'orrible 'people' photographer and I don't actually take a great liking to this sort of work... but photographers aren't that common a breed (why?) and they're often, unfortunately, needed.
Comments on the show? It was evident that everyone's put in tonnes of effort. And they managed to bring if off much better than expected... I was feeling quite nervous for them during the rehearsals. But other than that, I shall reserve my comments (partly 'cos I was concentrating more on getting decent shots rather than actually listening to the singing and happenings on stage... and partly 'cos... bleah).
From 2005 - Reach!
From 2004 - Flaggellah
At this point, I'd just like to say a word: loyalty. Doesn't it mean anything to some people?
Btw, thanks Lu and the MUN'ers for your support!
Our Conservation Bio course saw us visiting Kew Gardens on Friday (my first visit was two years ago), and I had initially hoped that we'd be treated to some behind-the-scenes demos. But nooo... throughout the day, we sat through lectures after lectures - the most number of lectures we have ever had in a day as biology students, ever - and never once did I even step into a glasshouse. The role of horticulture, herbariums, genetics, etc etc. and many, many case studies from the Caribbean and Africa. Lunch break lasted for an hour and during then Soph and I had a go at the gulls around the pond - she's still learning how to work the EOS 350D. When the flowers are in bloom, I might go there again; entrance fees are waived once you flash your NHM staff pass. Coolies.
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Little did I expect that living two terms with Hong Kongers has returned me so well to the type of environment I have been so used to and brought up in... that when I return to a Singaporean community, I actually come to suffer what I can only perceive as a reverse cultural shock.
Yesterday, at the Rojak (btw, it's this Sat, do come if you can... it's for a charitable cause) rehearsal and today at SingSoc's AGM, I couldn't help but feel a little distressed... at these sudden feelings of alienation. Sure, I've still got friends there, and I'm sure that the fact that I only know a handful of freshers isn't a problem. I felt out of place. Like... I wasn't sure how to interact with the people around me all of a sudden, save for hiding myself behind my camera most of the time. I was mindful of my accent, not wanting to sound like what others may come to think of as contrieved or 'putting on a show' when I speak in my usual 'standard, but Aussie-influenced' English... and having a little bit of difficulty achieving that hint of Singlish. And I don't really get their jokes. Too much Hokkien. I was a tad overwhelmed and at a loss. Reason I don't get this when I return S'pore is that I'm usually hanging out with old friends, or my family and our circle of HK expat friends anyway... so I don't really need to force myself to mingle with many Singaporeans.
After Australia, I struggled trying to fit in with the Singaporeans, but I knew that I had to since they would be my main pillar of support while I started studies in London. I did originally mingle more with the other international students and British-Chinese when I first came, but gradually I became more involved with SingSoc. Even then, through first year, and through second-year, being in the committee, living with Singaporeans... I am thankful to SingSoc and all my friends... but still I didn't know if I belonged. Not having been through JC only made things worse, as that's when I'd start to feel most lonely - when everyone around me starts talking about their JC days and so-and-so knowing so-and-so from class-something. Not having common experiences makes things very hard, and Singaporeans I find are particularly keen on discovering common experiences between people. I suppose that makes socialising easier, so I can understand why, but it gets annoying when that's done everytime people get together. Sigh... like all of my S'pore bio gang dinners.
* * * * * * * * *
I thought that I would have to work hard to integrate into this new household; I knew the two Singaporeans, but haven't met the four HKgers before. I admit that this isn't the most fun bunch I've been with, but right from the start, I felt at home, among my own people. It may not seem obvious significant on the outset, but the cultural differences and the values between the two societies are greatly... different. From practices at the dinner table to the importance of following duty rosters, the differences are there. Very often, during the rare occasions where we had to call for house meetings to settle disputes, the root of the problem lay in these differences. It's surprisingly how visible the line between the HKger camp vs the Singaporean camp is.
* * * * * * * * *
We established the Model United Nations and all of us - contributing to the new club our own experiences and expertise - could arguably have formed the most perfect committee there is and ever would be. And through MUN... we came to know many, many interesting and impressive people. Hailing from Britian, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Bahrain, Japan, Korea, Germany, Portugal, and other Middle Eastern, African and Asian countries... they have enabled me to acquire an increased global perspective. Making these new friends has changed the way I look at things, somewhat. They are what I was looking for when I came - what I wanted to experience in London, to enhance my overseas experience.
During SingSoc's AGM today I was yearning to ask a particular question - one involving cultural exchange and the emphasis on inter-society interaction (between SingSoc and other overseas clubs), as opposed to purely concentrating on strengthening the bond between Singaporeans. This approach does not, apparently, sit well with the majority of SingSoc members, or so I was told, and thus I was discouraged from posing the question. This issue is, as far as I'm aware, one of the the reasons why many Singaporeans do not participate in SingSoc activities. After having experienced 'the greater world', returning to SingSoc is almost like returning to being a frog in a well. Although... having said that, SingSoc does very successfully fulfil its other aims, and more importantly, it is appreciated by the freshers, not for doings unknown.
* * * * * * * * *
Well, again, here I am... writing about this ever-persistent identity crisis that I have. But now... after close to three years of self-discovery, I am confused no longer. I know what I am. I am a heung gong yan. I once asked my housemates, out of self-curiousity, what they consider me as. All unaminously said that I am a Hong Konger. Whereas if I were to ask the Singaporeans, I doubt if they could have agreed that I were Singaporean. I am Chinese, neither of Singapore nor mainland China, but of Hong Kong... no matter how distanced I am from them.
Yesterday, at the Rojak (btw, it's this Sat, do come if you can... it's for a charitable cause) rehearsal and today at SingSoc's AGM, I couldn't help but feel a little distressed... at these sudden feelings of alienation. Sure, I've still got friends there, and I'm sure that the fact that I only know a handful of freshers isn't a problem. I felt out of place. Like... I wasn't sure how to interact with the people around me all of a sudden, save for hiding myself behind my camera most of the time. I was mindful of my accent, not wanting to sound like what others may come to think of as contrieved or 'putting on a show' when I speak in my usual 'standard, but Aussie-influenced' English... and having a little bit of difficulty achieving that hint of Singlish. And I don't really get their jokes. Too much Hokkien. I was a tad overwhelmed and at a loss. Reason I don't get this when I return S'pore is that I'm usually hanging out with old friends, or my family and our circle of HK expat friends anyway... so I don't really need to force myself to mingle with many Singaporeans.
After Australia, I struggled trying to fit in with the Singaporeans, but I knew that I had to since they would be my main pillar of support while I started studies in London. I did originally mingle more with the other international students and British-Chinese when I first came, but gradually I became more involved with SingSoc. Even then, through first year, and through second-year, being in the committee, living with Singaporeans... I am thankful to SingSoc and all my friends... but still I didn't know if I belonged. Not having been through JC only made things worse, as that's when I'd start to feel most lonely - when everyone around me starts talking about their JC days and so-and-so knowing so-and-so from class-something. Not having common experiences makes things very hard, and Singaporeans I find are particularly keen on discovering common experiences between people. I suppose that makes socialising easier, so I can understand why, but it gets annoying when that's done everytime people get together. Sigh... like all of my S'pore bio gang dinners.
I thought that I would have to work hard to integrate into this new household; I knew the two Singaporeans, but haven't met the four HKgers before. I admit that this isn't the most fun bunch I've been with, but right from the start, I felt at home, among my own people. It may not seem obvious significant on the outset, but the cultural differences and the values between the two societies are greatly... different. From practices at the dinner table to the importance of following duty rosters, the differences are there. Very often, during the rare occasions where we had to call for house meetings to settle disputes, the root of the problem lay in these differences. It's surprisingly how visible the line between the HKger camp vs the Singaporean camp is.
We established the Model United Nations and all of us - contributing to the new club our own experiences and expertise - could arguably have formed the most perfect committee there is and ever would be. And through MUN... we came to know many, many interesting and impressive people. Hailing from Britian, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Bahrain, Japan, Korea, Germany, Portugal, and other Middle Eastern, African and Asian countries... they have enabled me to acquire an increased global perspective. Making these new friends has changed the way I look at things, somewhat. They are what I was looking for when I came - what I wanted to experience in London, to enhance my overseas experience.
During SingSoc's AGM today I was yearning to ask a particular question - one involving cultural exchange and the emphasis on inter-society interaction (between SingSoc and other overseas clubs), as opposed to purely concentrating on strengthening the bond between Singaporeans. This approach does not, apparently, sit well with the majority of SingSoc members, or so I was told, and thus I was discouraged from posing the question. This issue is, as far as I'm aware, one of the the reasons why many Singaporeans do not participate in SingSoc activities. After having experienced 'the greater world', returning to SingSoc is almost like returning to being a frog in a well. Although... having said that, SingSoc does very successfully fulfil its other aims, and more importantly, it is appreciated by the freshers, not for doings unknown.
Well, again, here I am... writing about this ever-persistent identity crisis that I have. But now... after close to three years of self-discovery, I am confused no longer. I know what I am. I am a heung gong yan. I once asked my housemates, out of self-curiousity, what they consider me as. All unaminously said that I am a Hong Konger. Whereas if I were to ask the Singaporeans, I doubt if they could have agreed that I were Singaporean. I am Chinese, neither of Singapore nor mainland China, but of Hong Kong... no matter how distanced I am from them.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
New addiction
Naruto's still on filler episodes, and Bleach has become a tad less exciting.I've found a new series to kill time with - Full Metal Alchemist. This one's really really good...
Thursday, March 09, 2006
I've been eating out so often nowadays...
Today was our termly bio dinner, at Nando's Earls Court. Despite me being a tad hesitant to go at first seeing as how the menu has mainly peri-peri chickens and fries - no good for the throat.
That was probably our last bio dinner with all the juniors before we're done at Imperial. Sigh.
x x x x x x
My birthday feels like it's lasted four days.
Tonight I was presented with another present - the main present... from everyone in the household and the bio gang. It's a delightful little iPod Nano, with an engraved personalised message at the back. Boy, I'm spoilt. I've already got a 60gig iPod Photo from two Christmases ago - that's from my family. How sweet. Two iPods, from two very important groups of people in my life. :)
Today was our termly bio dinner, at Nando's Earls Court. Despite me being a tad hesitant to go at first seeing as how the menu has mainly peri-peri chickens and fries - no good for the throat.
That was probably our last bio dinner with all the juniors before we're done at Imperial. Sigh.
x x x x x x
My birthday feels like it's lasted four days.
Tonight I was presented with another present - the main present... from everyone in the household and the bio gang. It's a delightful little iPod Nano, with an engraved personalised message at the back. Boy, I'm spoilt. I've already got a 60gig iPod Photo from two Christmases ago - that's from my family. How sweet. Two iPods, from two very important groups of people in my life. :)
Why another site?
This blog is the main reason.Yes, it is here for all the world to read.
But it is still a personal blog.
It remains mainly for what Friendster calls '1st degree' and '2nd degree' friends, plus the odd stranger who stumbles upon this domain.
This site is not for every new person I meet... anyone I give my namecard out to.
talfryn.com exists for a different purpose. Not an entirely commercial purpose, for I intend to fetch no earnings from the launch of that sister site; and not simply to market myself (or my services). It is there 'cos I need an alternative to this.
That world belongs to J.L., and this to Husky.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
6 March
Different households, different 'traditions'. Here at Queen's Gate we have a habit of showering the birthday girl (or boy) with dinners and cakes.Had an extremely scrumptious meal on Sunday night at some poshish Chinese restaurant with the household and a couple of MUN'ers, and there was that unexpected birthday cake at the end. All thanks to Wang-san, who treated us all. Then Monday came, and we usually don't cook on Mondays but they whipped up a rather big dinner; there's MUN sessions on Mondays so no dinner then. But - Tuesday - was a QG-bio combined affair. Supposedly at some steak place at Fulham's but I wasn't keen on venturing too far so we had a bit of Singaporeaness at Bugis Street. Got back home. Another birthday cake, this time candleless 'cos I am usually the one in charge of cake candles and after Xiao's cake last week they couldn't be found. I've lost count of the times they sang the song. And, for once, it was in Cantonese too. :)
If I were up to it I might have had just one major party, for everyone I know, for everyone I would have liked to celebrate with me. But I've never really been one for parties and sometimes I like it kept quiet. So for those who feel they've been left out, I have not forgotten you. You know who you are, and know that I would loved to have you along.
And thanks to all who greeted me with birthday wishes or sent me e-cards. My friends in Australia especially - it's been three years on, and it's heartening to know that some where far away you're all still there. Thank you... even though I haven't been exactly putting in the best of my efforts to keep in touch. And hugs to ZF from back home too - when your big day comes, I should be there.
Wallace and Darwin have survived a year under my care - a first for goldfish - and have been joined by dozens more fish. This alone surprises me more than the fact that I'm now 21. Somehow I'm not feeling the age change... perhaps not yet... but I think the day will come soon when I sit down and start to think, and reflect, and plan... what I have done and want to do in life.
As for now, there's that evil bug to tackle; I've caught a nasty flu(?) and so have my housemates and coursemates.
Oh, and yeah. I'm pleased to announce that the day has finally come when Talfryn goes 'dot com'. So - enjoy.
Monday, March 06, 2006
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Early pressies
Flowers, a cute little iced fruit cake and a fondue set (gotta get cheese!) from home - thanks Mommy, Daddy and Jane *hugs*, and Priceless: The Vanishing Beauty of A Fragile Planet by Aussie author Bradley Trevor Greive from Tania and Lydia in Oz. Missin' y'all.My housemates have been bugging me to tell them what I want. I don't really know!
Friday, March 03, 2006
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Yesterday and today there was a visiting scientist from the American Museum of Natural History, here to show us the online PBI inventory system (among other things). He proposed that the NHM join them as a participating institution. After looking at their user backend, I want to move over now. 'Cos we're currently using a very basic DB using Microsoft Access. It works, but it is by far much less impressive than PBI (a very well-funded project). Mick's hoping that I'll stay on for another year at least... there's so much he wants to get done.
Today - a bit of curation and specimen photog.
Today - a bit of curation and specimen photog.
