Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Money and...Much More

Am astounded as to why my Internet connection seems to be lagging. *shoots death glares at ISP*

Anyway. Haven't been doing much worth bragging about. Haven't been practising my keyboard for over a week now, and my attempt at Japanese have been so-so. One good thing that I did achieve was the revival of my Xda II by purchasing a new battery for him, and that I've managed to download a programme plus plugins to enable it to play FLV. Score one for the home team! I'll probably try to sustain it for 2, 3 years until I get a new one...Though that doesn't say much, since a camera - which I've wanted for quite some time - is still under my lengthy Wish List.

On with the subject I've promised earlier: Money and Value.

I mentioned before how depressing news are lately. And people have been complaining how hard it is to make ends meet, how troublesome it will be if the government were to issue salary twice a month, how government was right is reducing the subsidy...and henceforth. Last night's news revealed that whole chickens are sold for RM8 each, houses are now 30% more expensive...
While I'm thankful that my middle-income family is not suffering too much, it never hurts to be a little more prudent. The government has been promoting lifestyle change but seriously, a mere 10% decrement in their own earnings is laughable at the very least when we compare that the fuel price hike reaches a whooping 40%. They've been driving luxurious car(s) around, so the reduction won't even give them a proper jolt to reality. A little pang to their pride and a little jab at their greed (if present), but nothing more.
...Maybe it's not too wise to talk about them too much. God Knows if the ISA would suddenly stumble across this little blog of mine...

At times, regret and guilt would come raining down on me. Regret for either having bought something which turned out to be unnecessary later on, or even for not buying something when the chance presented itself. Guilt naturally ensues after the phase of regret.
So when I was told that it's best to invest money rather than just saving up, I had to agree. Likewise, when smart spending is involved. Let's face it, although we might be able to accumulate tons of money in banks, with the high inflation rates and all, the value would go down, down, down. Even a lot of money won't be able to get you much in the end.

Oh, the sheer horror of it all.

I'm kind of surprised (and relieved?) that students under JPA scholarship haven't tried asking for a raise. It probably had something to do with a recent raise we got a couple of months back...
...Still, the fact that I can't afford to laze around remains. There's a serious need to buck up if I want to make it in this world.
So it's time to stop thinking about how am I going to get to own superfluous things - like an iPhone (...), or a PSP (...), or a PS3 (ha?), a bunch of CDs or DVDs, clothes and stuff...
Which gave me no real reason to go to the mall, unless for window shopping. But we all know it may lead to unnecessary spending, or in the case of non-spending, a severe case of depression when the realisation that I won't be able to own it hits me hard. Even so, driving to the mall would consume money too...

*groans*

Still, frankly speaking, I'm sick of staying at home. Maybe that's why I haven't been able to do much, be it the things that I usually enjoy doing or not.

It's a different case of homesickness.

Maybe I should go out tomorrow. So what if I'll be on my own? I'll just busy myself with reading at a bookstore. Besides, we live in a somewhat un-caring society anyway; one that doesn't bother with other people's business.

That's all.

Ah. In an out-of-character move, I've landed myself with a Facebook account. What has the world come to!?

Take this test!
Sleepyheads like you are the reason they invented the snooze button. "Another five minutes! Just another five minutes." Okay, maybe one more...But eventually you do get up to face the day and arrive wherever you need to be in somewhat decent shape.


That said, after your initial reluctance to get out from under the covers, we'd guess you're pretty eager to get your day going. And while you probably won't be up with the roosters (or at least volunteer to be), you're able to be surprisingly productive before noon. Sometimes you just may need a little nudge or strong cup of coffee to get going. Then you'll be off and running!


Take this test!
People who stand out as eldest children due to their achievements usually believe that educational and career advancement is very important. In fact, they likely enjoy higher salaries and more professional prestige than many of their peers. They tend to be highly efficient and appreciate the value of constructive feedback. They're probably competitive and like to compare themselves to others. Odds are they are more likely than most to enjoy competition and team sports. Additionally, it's probable that they are smart and able to perform at above average levels at most things.


Current Music: You - Yuzuki
A song from Higurashi no Naku Koro ni. I even cropped it so that it'll become my ringtone. A surprising change of rhythm from Back-On or doa...Have I mellowed in the past few days?

Monday, June 16, 2008

untitled. for no good reason.

Countdown to end of break: Roughly around 3 weeks more. Which means that the end to this luxury of idleness is nigh.

I realise that I've been looking at the television set quite frequently. No, the word 'looking' previously was not mistaken to carry to same meaning as 'watching'; Simply, 'looking' denotes a lack of focus on the show, which happens when the television set is on - just for the sake of having a background sound around - while one busies oneself with other stuff like reading or munching on some grubs. A waste of electricity? Probably.

Sometimes watching shows that are centred on romance irks me. For instance, nowadays I made it a point - not too strong a point though - to follow a Korean drama (Sassy Girl Chun-hyang), the Japanese drama Proposal Daigakusen (Naohito Fujiki, anyone?), and the English new series Pushing Daisies. Too much of sap, while does lift up one's mood, only manages to leave a bad aftertaste in other instances.

Watching the main male character chase after the main female character with such determination and stubbornness makes me wonder if the drama production crew is pushing it a little too far. Or maybe I'm just too incredulous as to how emotional guys could be when football is not involved (not to offend any Euro fans or something, mind you). I mean, from my understanding, guys have a certain un-emotional trait that sets them apart from girls. Generally speaking, that is. In short, it felt too much unrealistic. Like how the events play out and all. But hey, that's the plotline and script for you.

Or, another plausible explanation to my uneasiness is simply this - that I know such fantasy-filled scenario would never happen in my life, so why bother?

Perhaps that's why I'm hesitating even in my choice of shows to watch. There's this new anime called Special A, which looks gorgeous and funny, but knowing that the plot might not be for me...I feel dubious as to whether I should start dabbling in it...

...Perhaps I worry too much. Rather than cracking my head trying to come out with a decision, it might be wise to just stay put and see how the future unfolds itself...



Your Mind is 88% Cluttered



Your mind is incredibly cluttered. You have so much going on in there, it's hard to think straight.

Consider talking to a therapist. It's a good idea to sort through your thoughts, if only to see which ones are worth hanging on to.



Take this test!
People driven by Stability are concerned about security in many different facets of their life. They take comfort in knowing they're prepared for their future and as such, take the necessary steps to make their life more predictable. Whether that means setting up a good savings account, educating themselves so they're prepared for their next job or child, or physically safeguarding their home with alarms or new storm windows, they do well when stability is in their sights.

A testament to my Libra sign?

You Are A Chocolate Ice Cream Girl



Dramatic. Powerful. Flirty.


Eh? I think not...Flirty? Seriously??

Take this test!
From your home or job to your family and social life, an active and busy person like you has a lot on your plate. But that doesn't mean that you let it get you down or get the better of you. Quite the opposite — having a packed calendar and too much to do is probably just the way you like it.


Whether you've got a million items on your to-do list or just a few big ones, you've got a knack for keeping track of things and staying on top of them. Where some might sink under an avalanche of duties, projects, and appointments, it's your time to rise to the top and show off your true talents. Way to shine!


Next entry (Probably. Unless other issue props up or my laziness gets the best of me) - Of money and value.

Current Music: New World - Back-On

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Kako to Ima

I'm starting to miss my livejournal account. Not that it's obliterated or anything like that, it's just that...well, maybe I just have too much free time I'm dawdling about old times.

Not that I feel old, with my age and all...

It's a pity that I haven't been doing much during this break other than lazing around. Am too lazy even to watch anime...although I did finish
Galileo, hurrah! Masha is too awesome for words.

Still wondering if I should start following
Proposal Daigakusen. It's bad enough that my mother remarked that I "prefer fictions"...Sigh. Can't be helped. While fiction is full of far-fetched hope, incredible situation and mere conjunctures of the human mind, it's better than reality in that the latter seems to be only overladen with depression and evil.

Proof? Just watch the news. People getting killed, people waging wars, people in poverty...

It's too depressing. I think I'll go and enjoy my newly downloaded doa stuff for now...





You're Catch-22!

by Joseph Heller

Incredibly witty and funny, you have a taste for irony in all that you
see. It seems that life has put you in perpetually untenable situations, and your sense
of humor is all that gets you through them. These experiences have also made you an
ardent pacifist, though you present your message with tongue sewn into cheek. You
could coin a phrase that replaces the word "paradox" for millions of
people.



Take the Book Quiz
at the Blue Pyramid.



Current Music: Eiyuu - doa

 
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